Sunday, April 10, 2016

Three Kinds of Relationships with God


The word of the week is RELATIONSHIP 
: the way in which two or more people or things are connected

A couple of years ago, during the month of April (Autism Awareness Month), my family and I attended a special church service especially for parents of autistic children. The speaker, Dr. Paul Kingsbury, was addressing special needs parents; but I think his topic can be applied to any of us. He  spoke about how we all have a relationship with God in one of three ways:
  1. a close relationship
  2. a distant relationship
  3. a non-existent relationship
He went on to say our relationship with God will determine our outlook on the trials/storms we go through in life. I wholeheartedly agree with this.

Out of the three relationship types listed above, I would say I fit best in the first category. I don't claim to have all the answers, and I know there is always room for improvement, as any relationship takes work to keep it thriving and healthy. But, my desires and my focus are to do God's will, and to allow Him to work in and through me. I go to Him when I am struggling, I thank Him when I'm not, and I try to praise Him at all times. That is what I consider a close relationship.

Keeping that in mind, my relationship with the Lord is what has helped give me the strength I need on the hard days. He listens to my cries, gives me wisdom to know what to do when I don't have the answers, and can help me be at peace in the middle of a storm. I am so thankful I don't have to try and handle things on my own, because I know I couldn't do it.

Throughout the years, many well-meaning friends have tried to encourage me and my husband by saying things like,"God gave you a special needs child because He knew you could handle it." While I understand what they are saying, and I'm grateful for their kind words, I don't believe that is true. To "handle" something means you can manage or accomplish it on your own. But, there is absolutely NO WAY I could handle raising a child with special needs without help (or even a child without disabilities, for that matter!) But, I'm thankful to have a relationship with a God who CAN handle it - a God who has been there all along to help me, and my husband, accomplish His will for our lives.

What about you? What kind of relationship do you have with the Lord? If it's non-existent, check out WHY WE NEED SALVATION for information on how you CAN have a relationship with Him. If it's a distant relationship, what is holding you back from becoming closer to Him? Start right now by talking to Him about your struggles, or by giving Him thanks for your blessings. He's waiting to hear from you.




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