Relationships are funny things. Some last a life time and some last a few days.  I have long term relationships with friends I have known for my entire life and I have had some relationships that lasted less than a week as I became uncomfortable with the situation and needed to distance myself. For whatever reason we just seem to mesh with some people better than others, mostly because of our temperaments, our interests, our backgrounds and our beliefs.  That does not mean we can’t enjoy relationships with people who are different from us.  I have had those relationships in my life as well.  They make me laugh which I love to do and it seems we just have a certain chemistry. 

One of the main traits of a good relationship for me is trust. Trust is the backbone of most relationships and if that trust is broken, it is difficult to maintain the relationship.  In our lives we will be disappointed by people we love whether it be in a marriage, our family, people we work with or people we consider to be friends.  It can be heartbreaking for this to happen and I’m sure all of you have experienced it at one time or another. I remember my mother telling me when I was a teenager and a friend had “betrayed” me, “You have control over one person in your life and that’s yourself.  Learn from this and make sure you don’t do the same thing to someone else.” I think of those words often when I see what is happening in this world.

I recently read an article that recommended not to put your trust in people, but only trust God.  I agree wholeheartedly we should put our faith and trust in the Lord. He is the only one who never fails us as it is not in His nature to be untrustworthy.  The Lord is the only one who gives unfailing, unconditional love every day of our lives.  It never stops. He shows us how and where to walk through life and all we need to do is believe in Him and know we are saved through grace because of the sacrifice of His son Jesus who died on the cross for us.

Earthly relationships are important too, however. It would be a very lonely existence if we did not have relationships with people. I believe God puts people in our lives whom we need.  It is up to us to listen to His guidance and trust we are where and with whom we need to be.  God knows and He never forsakes.

Deuteronomy 31: 6 tells us “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

We are so blessed we have a God who we can trust with our lives and who loves us so much He gives us what we need.  Thanks be to God!

Patty