A spider web is imperfect yet perfectly made. From far, it
is beautiful. Thin strands of carefully woven threads strung together to make a
distorted catching net. The net is delicate yet can weather the breeze of the
tree as it hangs between two branches. Sunlight glistens off it showing its
location. When we see a spider’s web, we know the spider is nearby in the
shadows, patiently waiting for the unfocussed insect.
The spider is focussed, cunning, patient and likes to watch
their prey squirm. Eventually the trapped insect grows weary and stops
struggling, letting fate take its course.
At the end of September, I took a step back and took an
outside look at all the relationships I have with people that I care about. Like
the web, relationships are our thin strands of woven thread joined together to
create our circle of friends and family. Even though these strands are joined
in our heart, they might never actually cross paths. The spider web of
relationships can be good and bad. Many threads survive many seasons and never
break while others, usually involving others, get neglected, abandoned and
eventually weather away.
Good, healthy, loving relationships can withstand the breeze
of the tree staying rooted in the love between us. Certain relationships can
often encourage us to cross certain lines which create cracks in the threads
eventually breaking and ending in heartache, pain and loss. Some boundaries
shouldn’t be crossed, yet being humans we test them, cross them and the thread
is damaged, often beyond repair.
This September, I questioned why did God bring this person
into my life? Is it for me or the other person? Does He want me to keep this
person in my life? Is this relationship a rooted thread or a weary one? I am
reminded that God created relationships when He created all of us in the hope
that we would love and treat each other in His way and of course, most
importantly, have an eternal, loving relationship with Him.
Relationships are important to us and we need to nurture
each one and not neglect them. A relationship can help you grow or help others
to grow. A relationship can show our strengths, our weaknesses and how we
relate to each other shows where that person fits in our life. Reflection on
our connections can also show us relationships that should be ended too.
Our relationship with God, in my view, is the one we should
never neglect even though we do. As I reflected on relationships, I noticed
that once again as one relationship in my life grows, others are neglected and
I’m embarrassed to say that my relationship with God has waned a lot which
leaves a bitter taste in my mouth as I write this.
As we all know, we often only realise what we had until it
has been lost. I pray that you get a chance to take a look at your
relationships around you and decide which ones need to be nurtured, neglected
and ended. But, whatever you do, never neglect your one with God. God is the
only one who always nurtures, never neglects and His relationship will never
end!
Some friends don’t help, but a true friend is closer than
your own family.
Prov. 18:24
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