Over the years there have been a number of people that have been involved in the lives of my family that at one time seemed to overflow with love, joy, and fellowship while in our presence. We have children with special needs in our home where we have had at least 30 different individuals welcomed into our home. We have spent countless numbers of hours with some. As they come and go it seems that the ones that we thought would stay involved in our lives have become distant, detached, and at times unapproachable. I have seen first hand what out-of-sight, out-of-mind really looks like. I miss some of them deeply, who they were when they were with us, lively, energetic,… actively involved and invested in my family. I don’t speak French, but apparently they don’t say ‘I miss you’. Instead they say ‘tu me manques’ which means ‘you are missing from me’. Somehow it seems more appropriate to express it like that in our circumstance. Saying, ‘I miss you’ feels kind of meaningless and shortsighted at times. It has no context. And then the thoughts come, “I miss you” compared to what? These feelings and emotions have caused me to reflect more importantly on my relationship with God. The times when I am distant, detached, and at times unapproachable with Him. I am reminded how simple it is to renew my relationship with God as I read what is written in *James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.* The hardest thing to deal with about being apart from someone that you care deeply about is that you never quite know if the relationship you had will be restored or not, and in fact if it was entirely genuine and authentic in the first place. There have been certain individuals that I know I was a friend to, and I came to learn in a round-a-bout way, a disheartening way, that they were never really my friend at all, they were just friendly towards me. I have come to reconcile that for a relationship to flourish, both parties have to be willing to care enough about the other person to help them move through the fears and insecurities of this world and motivate them to be a better person, most importantly to help draw them closer to the Lord Jesus. As for my relationship with God, He has continually invested fully in me, now it is my turn to put in the effort back in my relationship with Him. And as I do, I reflect on what is written in *Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.* My Brethren, as we go through these troubling times, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all and may you be encouraged to refresh your relationship with the Lord Jesus in an intentional and genuine way today, Amen. My BeLoved, may the grace of the Lord Jesus, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to give either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis in support of the different ministries God has entrusted to me. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support for the ministry activities that God has entrusted to me at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.