Sometimes our own insecurities bring on the disease. Yet understanding who I am in Christ has made a great difference in how I interact with others. I am valued and loved enough by my heavenly Father that He sent His son, Jesus, to die that I might be reconciled to Him and to others. John and I have been guilty of not taking the time to develop relationships. There are a number of people who for the last few years we have intended to invite over but haven t due to life s interruptions.
Successful relationships require an investment of time.
I may not have the energy to prepare a fancy dinner, but I always have the energy to meet friends on the spur of the moment for coffee and dessert. A few years ago, I felt strongly that one woman in particular needed a friend. At the Lord s prompting I went to her house and asked her if she would be my friend. It was a humbling experience for me, but it also began a lasting friendship that allows both of us to share secrets in a safe environment. When isolation strikes I need to remember that Jesus, the friend who is closer than a brother, encountered rejection on numerous occasions.