Time For Relationships

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 152: Today, I am grateful for the gift of time for relationships. 

Relationships are the most important "thing" we have. Broken relationships destroy families. Time and forgiveness can heal most wounds and divisions. Others need supernatural support. Jesus taught us to pray, "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." That, my friends, is a tall order and it takes practice. But, it is not optional.  

Imagine Jesus growing up. What was it like to be his sibling? Talk about the "perfect" older brother who does everything right! There is very little in the gospels about Jesus as a boy. 

Jesus did not flaunt his supernatural powers. Some of his own brothers did not believe in his identity until his resurrection. At the wedding feast where he performed his first public miracle, Jesus told his mother, "My time has not come." In other words, not yet Mom." He knew that once people witnessed his power, they would beg for favor, healing, and so much more. 

Weddings are special times with the people we love most. Wedding guest lists are hard to put together. They are expensive, especially if you are from a big family.

Jesus chose not to embarrass his mother, and the countdown to the cross began. His time on earth timer began ticking.  Every moment became more precious. No more carpenter work. No more ordinary dinners with his mother and siblings. In a blink, everything can change. 

His rest of his time on earth would be focused on building a team of disciples, meeting the needs of the sick and the poor, and making time for relationships. His ultimate purpose was to be the perfect lamb... once and for all... taking on the sins of the world. 

My friend, Libby Jo Wilken, knows the bold truth of this scripture: She posted a comment on Day 150 about Ecclesiastes 1:2.   

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” -Ecclesiastes 1:2

As a recent breast cancer survivor, she has tasted the bitter and the sweet. Libby is one special girl. She is a beautiful woman of faith. She knows what Solomon discovered, it is all meaningless if we do not have people to love and people to love us back. 

When God offered King Solomon anything he wanted, the King asked for Godly wisdom. His Godly wisdom became famous. People from home and abroad sought him out. Seeking to serve the nation with Godly wisdom was his heart's desire. The excessive wealth was a byproduct of true wisdom.

Excessive wealth today is rarely from Godly wisdom. Most comes from God given gifts like musical talent or athletic skills. For some, it is a result of good stewardship, but not for many. Excessive wealth does not buy happiness. Fun and pleasure, but not peace and contentment. Many of the rich and famous struggle not knowing if the people surrounding them are there for friendship or for what a friend's money can buy. In time, for many, they would rather be anonymous. Anonymity is hard in a world with cell phone cameras and social media.

There is something inside of all of us... a missing piece... that can only be filled by finding a true relationship with Jesus. The missing God piece reminds me of Randy's family doing puzzles together as kids... and as adults. Some would hide one piece. Each wanted to be the one who gets to put the last piece in the puzzle.

I smile when I think about it. It makes me laugh. Big families are fun. There is something so satisfying about putting the final piece of the puzzle in to complete the picture. I was grateful for the gift of time for relationships. Int he Lindgren/Bess family - we play cards, dice, or board games. The gift of time for relationships is truly priceless, if Cousin Angie Bess Muhlstadt and I can avoid breaking toes.

The only "thing" we can take to heaven are our loved ones.

Today, I am grateful for the gift of time for relationships.