Tarnished Relationships

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Do you know what silver or silver plate look like when they get tarnished?  In order to keep them shiny you have to polish them and give them the proper care and handling. Sort of like a relationship. 

Whether a friendship, marriage, dating, or relatives such as siblings, in laws, parents, you have to do your part to keep it 'shining'. I know of people who have had tarnish on their relationship with various family members for quite some time. But as the saying goes, "it takes two to tango" so don't think that it is the other person who is all bad. Are you doing your part to help, forget, forgive, let go,and move on?  Maybe things aren't fair. That hurts. Try your best to not speak poorly no matter how bad the other person is.  Maybe Christian counseling is deemed necessary in extreme cases. 

The verse today speaks of the enemy coming to kill, steal, and destroy. We could add distort the truth as well. The enemy of course is Satan and he gets his jollies destroying families, friendships, and marriages and loves it even more when those hurt can't sincerely forgive.  Some may be exceptionally hard to love and pray for but please try to do it. Perhaps it is even a one sided attempt but still do your best. Just keep praying and polishing with those prayers.

PRAYER: Mean people are ever present in the world Lord and many of them need a good dose of love and prayer to turn them around. Help me to show love to those I may not necessarily agree with or humanly love. Give me the ability to love with your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.