Why is it so hard?

A few days ago, a friend of mine said to me, “Relationships are so hard!” My immediate response shocked me. “Not really”, I retorted. What? Did I just hear myself? - Not really? Where did that come from? Haven’t I thought that very thing a hundred times? As my words continued, I knew they weren’t from me. Something much greater was at work in that room.

I went on to explain to her, the only relationship that really matters is this one. I picked up a piece of paper and wrote two names, hers and God’s. Then I drew a two way arrow between the names. It looked like this:
GOD
↕
KATHY

It was so clear to me at that moment; the only relationship that really matters is the one between you (me) and God. That is the basis for all other relationships. We always hear people telling us, “you need to work on your marriage”, or “you need to work on your relationship with your children”. But the truth is we need to work on our relationship with God. It is only through a strong relationship with God that any other relationship can be strong. How obvious, yet I had never realized it before that moment; as my relationship with God has deepened, so have my other relationships. As my love for God has deepened, so has my love for others. As my joy in God has deepened, so has my joy in life. As my relationship with God has grown, my other relationships have grown and become “easier”.

Then I added one more thing to my drawing. I encircled the names with a heart, symbolizing the deep love that God has for her, and for you, and for me. You see, my relationship with God is the only one that is certain – that is forever. All other relationships are temporary and can be gone in a minute – but God is always there. He will never leave you or forsake you. (Joshua 1:5)

The relationship I have to work on is my relationship with God, and I have to work on it everyday. If I can get that relationship right, then the world becomes a much easier place.

“I am the first and the last.” Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 48:12, Revelation 1:17
(If he said it 3 times, he must really mean it!)

My Prayer: Lord, help me to remember to always put you first; to remember that my relationship with you is an ongoing, never ending process. Help me to focus on you and your love, so that your love flows through to everyone I encounter. Amen.