Relationships

I have been reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I am absolutely enjoying this book and even though I haven't always been able to read it every single day I am reading a chapter at the time as much as I possibly can. It will take me well over 40 days to finish the book but I'm learning and experiencing so many new things. My eyes are opened to things that I never even thought about.

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Yesterday, the chapter I read was on mending broken relationships. This chapter was obviously written just for me. I am the type of person who tends to draw lines in the sand and when someone crosses that line it is as if I cross them off my list. I have said many, many times "I'm done" and when those words roll off my lips people around me gasp and look because they know there is no going back. I have a cold, hard shield that I draw up time and time again to protect myself but what I am learning is that all that shield does is put a barrier between me and someone else.

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At the end of each chapter, Mr. Warren gives you three things to think about. One is a "point to ponder," second is a Bible verse and third is a "question to consider." The scripture for this chapter is Romans 12:18 "Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody." (TEV). The scripture verse really made me think but the other two really got me thinking. The "point to ponder" is "Relationships are always worth restoring" and the "question to consider" is "Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with today?"

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I am beginning to see that God brought people in my life years ago but I never allowed God to use them to teach me, guide me, bless me. I swiftly put that shield up and moved on. How do I know this? Because these people are beginning to show up in my life again. People whom I have not spoken to in years are beginning to resurface and I'm having to remove scabs and rip old wounds like band-aids. Are there relationships in your life that need restoring?