Invaluable

A few years ago, the Stewardship Mission Team at our church encouraged us to think about stewardship from a wide variety of perspectives. We reflected on how we might be better stewards—or caretakers—of the various gifts entrusted to us: our health, the earth we live on, our time, our talents, our faith, and even our relationships with others.

This is a really interesting concept to me. How can I be a steward of my relationships with others—friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, sisters, and brothers in Christ?

One thing I know for sure: the dynamics of human relationships can get messy. We step on each other’s toes. We disagree on politics. We make mistakes. We misread and misinterpret. And sometimes our pride rears its ugly head and does damage.

Think about it. What does it do to a relationship when it always has to be my way—or no way? What does it do when I always have to be right… or just have to have the last word… or refuse to be the first to forgive or ever say I’m sorry? What does it do to a relationship when I won’t even listen to another point of view?

Are there relationships in your life that could be different if you could let go of the pride?

If the COVID shutdown of 2020 taught us anything, it revealed the true value of our relationships. When we were locked down for months on end, unable to socialize, we longed to spend time with friends and loved ones. We missed singing songs together in church. We missed shared dinners, quiet conversations, even seeing colleagues face-to-face in the office. All of this makes me reflect on how our relationships do need tending.

Each and every one of us has been given the gift of forgiveness, mercy, and love from Christ. I pray today that you would accept and know these gifts deep within you. And may you share these gifts with a world desperately in need—beginning with those closest to you.

Let us pray:   Holy God, we thank you for friends and family, those who have loved us and enriched our lives over the years. Remind us again of their true worth. Grant us open and humble hearts. We ask in Christ’s name. Amen.