Relations require work

February
A month where many a person struggles with finding that "perfect" gift that will convey our love to that special someone in our lives.  For some of us it can cause some frustration or depression because we are unable to afford something that communicates how special someone is to us.  All in all, it is a time when we make a little more effort to be romantic and remind our wives, girlfriends, husbands, or boyfriends just how much they have made our lives better.  The reality of a healthy relationship between man and wife is that the effort we put into Valentine's day should be made 365 days a year.  The reason is that relationships require more than periodic reminders of affection.  However, as special as our spouse or possible future spouse is in our lives, that is not the only relationship we are in.  We have relationships with our kids, our parents, our siblings, family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors and fellow workers. Each of these relationships require an effort on our part that they be harmonious and glorifying to God.  They glorify God when it is evident that it is our relationship with Him that compels us to treat others with kindness, respect, and persons who Christ loved enough to die for.   Everyone around us is a bearer of God's image and as such is deserving of our best.  At times it can be a challenge, of this there is no doubt.  As we move through this month, when faced with those challenging moments in our relationships, don't fall back on the question "what would Jesus do?" but rather go deeper and ask "why would Jesus do what Jesus would do?" which provides us with insight as to the proper motivation.  Why does every relationship in our lives deserve the best we have to offer all year long? Because Jesus shed His blood for each and every person in those relationships.