For a little over 7 years now, the Father has had me on a journey of showing me what healthy relationships should look like. That is not to say that now all of my relationships are perfect, nor am I saying that I can look at people and like Dr. Phil tell them how to fix their relationships. Remember, you just read that I am on a JOURNEY. Relationships are complicated to say the least! Last year, I walked through a very difficult time in setting boundaries, learning what manipulation looks like, and even learning how in love to end a relationship. On the other hand, throughout the past 7 years, the Father has been teaching me a lot about what forgiveness and restoration should truly look like, and what it means to walk and see in the Spirit. Well, just when you think: "Okay, God; thank you for the lessons. I can take it from here..." Our family was thrown back into the hands of all of our American relationships and is preparing us to go to another country and start new relationships! That might sound really negative. I don't mean it to be. We have had a wonderful time seeing family, dear friends, supporters, and building new relationships as we travel. We have been truly blessed in what is really a "short time" in the US to see so many people that are so very precious to us. But, like in all things, God has something He is trying to show us, and like in all things, I believe that He is looking to see if we have learned and will apply the things He has taught. (the easy and the hard!) I am not sure how I am doing. In many ways, it has been a challenge. I confess I have been (and am) struggling. Please don't read that I am feeling "wronged" and don't know how to confront or "deal". In most cases, I am asking myself how I can be a better friend, sister, daughter, cousin, church member, etc. One of the hard facts of life is that a person can only do so many things well. I think I have been carrying so much guilt when I see someone again that I haven't spoken to in years. I remember how special a person they are, and my immediate desire is to try to think of how I can be a better person in the relationship. The hard thing is learning that God has us in different types of relationships in different seasons of our lives. Not all people will be "bosom friends" as Anne Shirley would say. We need all "levels" (if you will) of relationships. I think the difficulty comes when a person changes levels...whether that is in or out of closeness to you. God keeps giving me the verse in Galatians that says, "so then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..." (6:10a) Right now, I am asking myself how I can "do good" in each of my relationships for this season right now. Sometimes, (and I really hate it!) it means having tough conversations or worse discerning that no good could come from talking and that person really needs to have broad boundaries in my life. Sometimes, (thankfully!) it means just spending time and sharing how much they means to me. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds me, "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." So as we count down our time in the America and prepare to embark on new relationship building overseas, I am thanking the Father for all that He has brought me through and all that He is continuing to teach me. May I continue to work towards healthy relationships that bring glory to Him. AT
Picture: I had to post a picture of my best friends from high-school. These two women are so precious to me. I am truly thankful for them in my life.
