Making it to the next day.

Just got off the phone with a good friend who has suffered the loss of his father this week. Trying to share hope with him about his dad and also his own future. He told me of how he and his dad were very close and that the last ten years have been very meaningful. In the midst of the pain of loss he knows that he is blessed.

Do you wonder sometimes about your relationships and how they are faring? Are there family members with whom you are estranged? Perhaps God is calling you to be in prayer about them. I know that for me I often think that there is time to straighten things out, later. But the reality is, later may never come and the opportunities that are presented are not limitless. We should be proactive in this regard, setting aside pettiness and bitter memories.

The beginning should be wrapped in prayer to see His will for the matter. Perhaps we are the injured one and have offered forgiveness in the past only to have it trampled upon and tossed away and that is very painful Or maybe we deal with the separation by just blocking it out and pretending that other person doesn't even exist. That will give us some peace for awhile but the truth is still inside us and it rears it's ugly head at some of the least desirable times, bringing fresh pain and doubt.

I will be praying about and for my brother, with whom I currently share a broken relationship, hoping that God will give me some new insight and perhaps direction to follow in that regard.

If you can, be sure to reach out to those around you who love and care for you and be sure to let them know about your feelings for them.