relationships

Walking with God

–Begin by taking some deep breaths. As you breath, you begin to clear your mind.-

  • Breathe in: Guide me
  • Breathe out: Oh God

-Continue this breathing exercise until you feel you are ready to continue.-

[Jesus Said] “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy[d] that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14

[Jesus Said] “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy[d] that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

Because of all of the rain lately, parts of my normal path to the beach is covered in water. So as I get ready for my walk, I put on my rain boots, and put Nevada, my dog, on her leash. Nevada does not like water, so she tries to go around the part of the path covered in water. There are times that her going around the puddle involves her being on one side of a tree, with me on the other side of the tree and the leash between us. She does not realize it is easier for both of us to just go through the water.

Last week as I walked Nevada, I thought about how my walk with God is similar. Sometimes there is a person I do not want to talk with because of a conflict or misunderstanding. I will put off talking to this person. This is like when Nevada goes around a tree instead of walking through the water. The longer I put off talking to this person the more damage can be done to that relationship. There is also damage done to my relationship with God. I was reminded it is more important to take the time to talk with someone than to put it off.

  • Do you need to talk with someone?
  • Are you putting off doing something important?

-Please take a moment.-

-Take some deep breaths.-

  • Breathe in: Guide me
  • Breathe out: Oh God

God, I am glad you are there to guide us, and remind us of our call in life. You take us through the path that is best for us. Help each of us to remember that you are the one guiding our path, and help us to hear your voice when you call. Amen.

Relationships

–Begin by taking some deep breaths. As you breath, you begin to clear your mind.-

  • Breathe in: relation
  • Breathe out: ships

-Continue this breathing exercise until you feel you are ready to continue.-

Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
1 Peter 4:8

The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:7-11

For the next several weeks, I plan to ask myself this question: Where am I seeing God? Lately I have been seeing God in and through my relationships. Relationships are important, and they are what help me to stay in a good frame of mind. As I think about my relationships, there are two examples in the past week where God has shown up. I am sure you will be able to relate to them.

When I think of a person, I try to make contact with them. Lately I have been thinking about an ex-roommate. I texted her, and we had a great conversation. Our short conversation reminded both of us that God is at work in the world. It was great to catch up with her. God brought her to my mind, and I took the next step to contact her. This is one way God is in our relationships.

The other circumstance that comes to mind is the result of an accidental phone call. I was getting ready to leave work. I went to call my husband to tell him I was on my way home, and ask if he needed anything from the store. The person who answered was not my husband. I was shocked! The voice on the other end was that of the husband of a friend. He informed me it was his wife’s birthday, so he gave her the phone. I wished her a happy birthday, and we caught up a little. This beautiful moment would not have happened if not for the mistake of calling the wrong person. God was there helping me to connect even when I was not thinking of connecting.

God is with us in our relationships.
God helps us maintain our relationships.
God reminds us of the importance of relationships.

  • Where are you seeing God?
  • How are your relationships?
  • Who should you connect with today?

-Please take a moment.-

-Take some deep breaths.-

  • Breathe in: relation
  • Breathe out: ships

God of relationship, thank you for reminding us of the importance of relationships. Thank you for being there to help us maintain our relationships. Thank you for being in relationship with us. Amen