Created for Relationship

After celebrating another birthday last week I am really thankful for relationships. I received such an outpouring of cards, gifts, texts, letters, Facebook messages and e-mails that it is overwhelming. The love and gratitude expressed by my friends and family was huge and my response in thankfulness was just as great because I begun to realize that it is only through valuing and committing to relationships that we reap the benefits. By embracing everything, including the tough times, we have the opportunity to enjoy all of the benefits and blessings. In Genesis right before He created man, God said, 'it is not good for man to be alone' (Genesis 1:18). In this, God not only spoke of marriage, but of all relationships because there was no other human but Adam up to that point. God's desire was that in the same way He created man and wanted fellowship with him, He wanted Adam (and all of future mankind) to have the opportunity to fellowship with others who were like him.

Just as the two great commandments referenced by Jesus in Matthew 22 state - love the lord with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself - we were created to love God and love each other. Regardless of whether it's easy, or filled with challenges, we are called to live this life in relationship: with God and others. So cherish it, enjoy it, work at it and succeed in it because truly, we were created for relationship.