Relationships take much work and effort. Many have been taken for granted even in the body of Christ Jesus.

Let’s take an honest look:

If you’re bad about keeping up with others and nurturing your special relationships, you’re in danger of one day losing it.

We take care of what’s important to us, or may I say-WHO is important to us.

I’ve often found sad truths in our “relationship handling” that should be brought to the light of Christ Jesus.

If your relationships are one-sided whereby one person does all the work to maintain its intimacy and bond-eventually the one working hard will stop working.

That heart will feel underappreciated, and suddenly you’ll find them gone.

You might also wonder, “Why?”

But the answer will lie within your own heart and behaviors.

I was trudging through a difficult season in the past. Because of my own pain, a heart I adored felt abandoned.

I lost that relationship and was never able to repair it. I’ve prayed often for a second chance and pleaded for it. The damage was already done. I’ve had to simply trust Jesus with it.

I learned the value of those in my life. It was, and still is, one of the hardest lessons I’ve ever learned, and have, very often, felt a deep regret when I think again about it.

I’ve committed to doing better.

Who in your life has been underappreciated? Who in your life is always reaching out, keeping up with your pain, and running to you when you’re in need but if you’re really honest before God-you never return that favor when they need you?

It’s not that they have strings attached to their love. It’s that a relationship takes more than one person loving well.

It’s work.

Sometimes, when God is dealing with hidden heart issues like this, it’s that very little fox that keeps spoiling our vine. So advancement into greater things will stall out. Christ needs to be able to trust you, and me, with the hearts He blesses us with.

Those very hearts are precious to Him.

Don’t lose a blessing…

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.