Invest In Relationships

            If you have lost someone close to you, I feel like one of the first thoughts that may have gone through your head was, “I wish I had just one more chance…” or “I wish I had just a little more time.” Watching my kids sleep every night reminds me of one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned.  We don’t have more time. And we don’t get any more chances. It’s time to start investing in relationships NOW.

            Ezra is a year and a half. This is a great age. Of course, all stages of his little life have been exciting and new and wonderful. But this one is amazing.  It is the first time in his life that he is choosing to follow or to disobey. It’s the first time we as parents have to start using punishments for his actions. And it’s probably the first time I have lost my patience with him on more than one occasion (within an hour or so). Yet it seems every night, when he is about to get ready for bed, whatever happened that day, whatever rules and boundary lines he crossed, he still gives me that sweet smile and wraps those sweet little arms around my neck, and kisses my cheek. Everything else fades away and I remember that I only get to hold him for one day, one moment at a time. Do I just invest in relationships that I feel are worthwhile to me?

            We’ve been living here for three years now.  Lately I’ve been asking myself, am I investing in relationships? Am I really taking time to get to know people? Is language really THAT big of a barrier, which limits my ability to love? I say to myself “all I have is now.” Am I really, really living that? If we were to get denied entry back into this country, I would have to say goodbye to all my friends and loved ones here. What would I have left behind? What would I be taking with me? How did I allow the Lord to speak, work, touch, hug, pray, love through me? This past month, we were visited by two nuns who were walking in our area and knocked on our door, asking us if we would let them in to pray with us. It was a truly wonderful experience getting to know these two women (Sister Rebekah and Sister Patrick). Though it was a swift, short meeting, I feel as though they had a calling; a mission. They went around every day, all day meeting people in their homes and praying with married couples about their relationships. These women truly invested in people. I want to live like that.

            All I get is today. All I get is right now. Why am I wasting so much time being frustrated, impatient, bitter, and unforgiving? When I sit down, really sit down and think, I ask myself today, “Who am I investing in? Who should I be investing in? Who needs the hands and feet of the body of Christ?” Then, I get up and begin the day.