Posts Tagged ‘Faith ’

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by:  Staci Stallings

I have many relationships in my life.  I am a wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, sister-in-law.  I’m an aunt, a teacher, a company owner.  I’m a writer and an editor. I am a mentor and a friend.

Each relationship is different because each person I’m in a relationship with is different.  Each relationship calls for something different from me.

I don’t relate the same way with say my son’s friends as I do most of the other children in the school where he goes–even though I know many of them.

I don’t relate to those I work with the same as I relate to my mom.

There are commonalities to all the relationships.  I am kind.  I am helpful.  I am there for them as much as I can be.

But the relationship itself is different.

I talk with my acquaintances very different than I talk with my children.

There is a trust with those close to me that I just can’t have with someone I only see once in awhile and have never really gotten to know.

Having a relationship involves certain elements like spending time together, talking, getting to know one another, sharing experiences, sharing your heart, becoming a team rather than individuals.

Many of the relationships in my life, I consider myself a team with these people.  I have eight very close best friends, and a gaggle of people many would consider a best friend as we are on that level of trust and communication.

I guess what I want to point out here is that God is not an outer circle relationship-type.  He is not (or should not be) an acquaintance.  Sadly for most people, He is barely that.

For most people they might know of God, they might believe in God, but they don’t have a relationship with God.  For them, as it was for me, their relationship is based on the rules.  They figure if they keep the rules, they are good to go in the God department.

Unfortunately, they never realize the power and peace that are found in God Himself–in a real relationship with Him.

How do you find that relationship?

Make getting to know God a priority.  Read about Him.  Let Him speak to you.  Listen to what He’s telling you.

The closer you get to God, the more He will reveal Himself to you.Get Godly friends who have pointed their compass to God and make Him the center of their life.

I’ve had people who were fascinated with my books because in the beginning you never would have guessed such-and-such about a character.  But for me, writing a character is no different than getting to know a friend.  You start at the surface, and then slowly as you spend time around them, they begin to “let you in” on who they really are and what’s really goin on it their lives.

That’s relationship.

And that’s what God wants with you (not FROM you, WITH you).

He wants to show you how much He loves you just the way you are.  And as He loves you and you receive that love, you will begin to change into who He made you to be in the first place.

And oh, the joy when that begins to happen!

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