Over the years, I have come to realize that relationships are often revealed not only in the moments when we are together, but also in the moments when distance begins to grow between us. The presence of someone can bring such warmth, encouragement, and joy that we naturally begin to cherish the place they hold in our lives. Yet, when that presence slowly fades, we are sometimes left reflecting on what was shared, what has changed, and what it means to truly remain connected to one another.

There have been a number of people who have been involved in the lives of my family who, at one time, seemed to overflow with love, joy, and fellowship while in our presence. We have children with special needs in our home, and over the years, we have welcomed at least 30 different individuals into our lives. We have spent countless numbers of hours a week with some for years.

As they come and go, it seems that the ones we thought would stay involved in our lives have become distant, detached, and at times unapproachable. I have seen firsthand 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 that way 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. It is humbling to recognize how easily the distractions and disappointments of life can draw our attention away from the One who has never stopped loving us. We can become so caught up in what others have done or failed to do that we overlook the ways our own hearts have grown quiet toward the Lord.

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 roundabout way, a disheartening way, that they were never really my friend at all; they were just friendly toward 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. Genuine fellowship requires more than shared moments and kind words; it calls for a willingness to remain present, to offer grace, and to encourage one another when life becomes difficult. We may not always be able to restore every relationship we have lost, but we can choose to learn from those experiences without allowing disappointment to harden our hearts.

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 which has seemed to have drifted a little. That means seeking Him not only when I feel distant or discouraged, but also in the ordinary moments when my heart is tempted to wander. It means being honest about my shortcomings, humbling myself before Him, and allowing His Word to shape the way I love, forgive, and remain faithful to others. 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.

May we strive to be people who love deeply, value genuine fellowship, and remain sincere in our relationships, even when others do not reciprocate in the same way. May we have the humility to examine our own hearts, the wisdom to learn from our disappointments, and the faith to draw nearer to the Lord rather than allow life’s hurts to harden us. And may we continue to welcome, encourage, and invest in one another with the love of Christ, trusting that even when earthly relationships change, our hope remains steadfast in the unfailing love of God.

Dear hearers, as we go through troubling times, may we remember that none of us is beyond the reach of God’s grace, and none of us should feel that we must walk through life’s disappointments alone. May we be willing to extend the same patience, compassion, and understanding to others that we so often need ourselves, welcoming those who feel forgotten and encouraging those who are struggling to find their way back. 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, trusting that even when earthly relationships change, His invitation to draw near remains open. May we find hope in His unfailing love, strength in His presence, and renewed purpose in the fellowship we share as His people. Amen.

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My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, 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 support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. 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 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.