Sadness....

I have had quite a few conversations lately with people who are in the midst of a lot of just really hard things/circumstances going on in their life. These conversations take place at work, home, out and about with friends and also with plain strangers.

They all mostly revolve around relationships. Relationships with loved ones, the kind of relationships that have the ability to bring you great joy or utter torment and they can turn your soul inside out. The relationships that can bring moments of elate and the moments where you just can't stand it anymore and want to throw in the towel.

These relationships can be with friends, lovers, siblings, parents, children, or anyone that you consider to be close to you.

So when do you throw in the towel? So when do you say enough is enough?

These kind of conversations where I have felt people's pain and listened to their heart ache is over the relationships with lovers. I have seen loss of hope or almost on the horizon of giving up. The main component that I see missing is one simple, yet very complex thing.....

God.

A relationship that is intimate with Him.

I am not judging or criticizing anyone, but it is true.

I am reading the shack right now, and there was a passge in the section I read last night in which the character depicting God was saying, "when you are in good communication with me, you are not just the best form of yourself and who I created you to be, but rather you are receiving all the blessings I want to give to you."

It is true for my life too. I am the best person and the most happy and healthy when I am spending more time at His feet. Being still and quiet and humble.

So today, if you are facing a hardship or just a hard relationship. Get to a quiet place and ask God for whatever it is you need. Be still and listen. ( I know this is hard, it is certainly hard for me to ever be quiet, let alone listen :o)) But it is so worth it.