“It takes a moment to tell someone you love them, but it takes a lifetime to prove it.” – Erich Fromm

“To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.” – George MacDonald

“Relationships help us to define who we are and what we can become.  Most of us can trace our successes to pivotal relationships.” – Donald O Clifton

Take a moment today to think about the importance of relationships in your life – especially those you hold close – those relationships that have a profound impact who you are and the essence of what it means to be alive and thriving in this world.

In the midst of your contemplation, think about the behaviors that really make relationships special, meaningful, and lasting.  As you dwell on those behaviors and characteristics, think about how you personally put them into action within your existing relationships – how you instigate and initiate their presence within the connection.  Take time as well to envision how the person you are in relationship with is reciprocating them – giving back, returning, or responding with similar behaviors that deepen your bond together.

This line of thinking can be a bit sobering – especially when we begin to realize how often we behave in a way that is counter to strengthening our meaningful connections.  It can also be a bit hurtful when we come to the conclusion that our partner isn’t behaving in a fashion that shows a respect or commitment to enhancing the relationship – tending to acquire more than they contribute to the union.

How would you feel if the person you were connected to never trusted you – always questioning your motives and loyalty?  What if they rarely sat and listened to what you had to say?

How would you respond if they selfishly cared more about their own life and priorities versus your life together?  What would you do if you were the one constantly giving and there was nothing given back in return? 

What if they didn’t respect your wishes or didn’t believe in who you are and what you stood for?  What if you loved them with all your heart and they failed to see it – often taking you for granted?   What if they treated you like you didn’t exist most of the time – only engaging with you when they wanted or needed something?

Would you stay in a relationship like this?  Would you see it as weak or non-existent?  Would you even call it a relationship in the first place?

I love the Donald O Clifton quote above.  Meaningful relationships define who we are and what we can become.  They are pivotal to our success in this life!

What relationship can you ever have in this world that is more important than your relationship with God?  When it comes to that relationship, how are you behaving when it comes to strengthening and deepening that bond?

Do you really trust Him with your life?  Trust, after all, is a greater compliment than love itself!  Do you listen for His gentle, still voice or are you more concerned with reeling off your list of wants and needs?  Do you respect His wishes – even when they conflict with your own?  How often do you go through a day or a week and acknowledge His presence?  Do you really believe in who He is and what He stands for – especially to the point of adapting your behaviors out of love and respect for Him?

How are you investing in the relationship through your own actions and behaviors?  How can you trust Him more, listen to Him more, or give of yourself in a way that deepens the connection?  How can you acknowledge His presence more profoundly or show Him more respect than you currently do?  What can you do to demonstrate your love to Him?

My friends…..We wonder why we feel alone, why we recklessly wander, and why we don’t feel any peace or joy anymore.  We wonder why we have so many unanswered questions about our life and why we feel so disconnected and confused most of the time.  We wonder why we often feel no purpose or sense a deeper meaning to all that is unfolding.

Could your relationship status with God have anything to do with it?  We can say we love Him and believe in Him, but what are we doing in our lifetime to prove it?

When it comes to our God, His love is unconditional, His presence is constant, and He always listens to both our words and our hearts.  He believes in us 😊 

He gives us more than we could ever acknowledge or understand, and when we don’t, He graciously gives us more.  He respects our wishes by giving us free will and choice – loving us even more when we fail or make the wrong decision.  His unending forgiveness is proof of that love!

You see…..God never responds to us based on our actions.  His part of the relationship isn’t dictated by our actions or inactions.  His part of the connection is perfect – consistent and never failing.

Think what would happen in your life if your part of that connection was stronger, practiced with more intention or nurtured in a way that made it the most important relationship in your life?

What would happen to your personal peace and your individual joy?  What impact would it have on your purpose and your destiny?  Would your life become more meaningful – more impactful?  How would it affect the other relationships you hold dear?  Would you have more insight – more wisdom?  Would you have greater resolve and countless courage to face any obstacle you encountered?

 I pray you spend some time thinking about your relationship status with God – what you are doing or not doing to strengthen that bond.  Realize God’s part within the connection is never dictated by your behavior.  It’s constant and ever present – always ready and willing to become more meaningful and more consequential in your life.  He is always reaching out, listening, loving, forgiving, and present.  It’s who He is my friend 😊

You will never experience a more satisfying and meaningful relationship in this world or the next!  May He help each of us as we choose to move closer to Him.

God bless!