#4- RELATIONSHIPS

Years ago our family left a loved one home to cook a pork chop dinner while the rest of us went four- wheeling on a local ski mountain.  I don't exactly remember what happened, but I know that we got home a lot later than we said we would.  Our loved one had tried to keep the meal from getting too dry, but to no avail.  Years have passed, but I haven't forgotten their disappointment.  They sacrificed while we played and experienced the hurt of not meeting our needs while we were insensitive to theirs.

This memory resurfaced while recently reading Andy Stanley's book: "Choosing to Cheat: Keeping your Job from Cheating your Family".  Instead of a pork chop dinner, Andy uses another powerful illustration to make his point.  Stanley's premise is that work and family take up prominent positions in our lives and that when our lives are out of balance, it's usually our families that suffer.

It's disturbing to think that we "cheat on our families".  Sadly, however, it's true.  Why is it that we have a hard time turning down an overtime call? However, we make statements to our loved ones like: "We'll see...." knowing that we have no intention of fulfilling their requests

Nobody gets hit over the head and wakes up the next morning with perfect relationships.  In a previous post I stated that if you are looking for SOME THING to fulfill your deepest needs, you will be disappointed--especially a relationship.  The growing divorce rate proves that.  If you're unhappy and you think your fiance is going to make you happy, think again!  Chances are you'll be unhappier.  Don't go dragging kids into the mess.  Leave your engagement ring at the altar and save both your lives.

Now that we have wedding rings and the frailty of relationships in mind, lets talk about the will of God.  Does God want us to be miserable?  No, His will is that we would turn to Him and enter the deepest relationship imaginable.  But if we're honest, we "cheat" Him.

What if things were different?  What if we MINED our relationships rather than neglecting them.  We wouldn't need new wives or husbands, children, bosses....pastors.  Instead we would better appreciate the ones that we have.

I sure do wish I could go back in time and walk through the door just as the pork chops were being set on the table.  Although I can't, it's comforting to know that I'm still on my journey.  Yes, I believe by faith that I've already reached the other shore, but.... I'm still paddling.  I will experience more rough water along the way, that I'm sure of, but in the meantime I'm thankful for smooth waters, the people with me in the boat, and opportunities to make better decisions.  Not because I have to, but out of love.