Philippians 4:1
Dear friends, I love you and long to see you. Please keep on being faithful to the Lord. You are my pride and joy.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sunday mornings are special for me, because we generally pick up Timothy and Zola and take them to church with us…and then out for a bite of lunch – usually at Burger King®. The children burst through the door and run toward us…eager to get in the car and get going. The chatter flows as they tell us about their week and speak with anticipation about the plans for our day. Sometimes on pretty days, we go play in the park after lunch. Occasionally, one of the children will have spent the night with us, and we are collecting the other sibling on our way to church. And almost always, they are just as eager to stop and pick up “Grandma E” (Greg’s mother), who usually goes with us.
Regardless of the day or the hour, I always love to see these children and their brother, Nathan. When more than a few days have passed between our visits, I long to see them. They truly are my pride and joy in many ways…and I take great delight in spending time with each of them. And perhaps you have someone who makes you feel this way…a friend, family member, significant other…or even a small child.
Can I tell you something? This is how God feels about us! He longs to spend time with us…to hear how our day/week has gone…to “catch up” and make plans…to share worship, a meal, or an adventure. God even longs for our company when we engage in play. Everything about us delights Him…in spite of our sinful nature and our penchant for misbehaving!
Just as importantly, God wants us to develop relationships with others…connections that bring us pride and joy. He wants us to let others know how important they are to us…just as Paul expressed to the Philippians in this letter. God wants us to truly desire relationships with others…and to know how to show it! He wants us to get along…to share each other’s joys and sorrows…and to truly make others feel valued, precious, and appreciated.
How well do you accomplish this? Are you fully engaged when you talk to others? Do you make time in your day to visit with people…to minister to them…to celebrate their joys and triumphs…and to console them in their sorrows and sadness? Do others truly know that you care? Do they feel loved…important…as if you are proud and happy to know them and be a part of their lives?
Just how good are you at relationships? Have you paid attention to the example of Jesus and implemented this in your discipleship? People don’t care what you know until they know that you care. What do others know about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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