Photo by Jacob Postuma on Unsplash
I was thinking about the differences between near and close.
Yes, they can mean the same things in terms of space.
But they can be very different when it comes to closeness.
We can be very near someone in location…sometimes in the same house.
But not feel very close to them.
What does it take to feel close to a person?
We need to share our lives with them.
Part of sharing our lives means sitting down at the end of the day and debriefing.
We can’t just go through our day together
Even if we work alongside each other;
Being near each other;
And not share our life and heart with them.
That is what makes our lives feel like they make sense.
That is what helps us understand why certain events tend to throw you off.
Or a comment or activity will make you laugh and become happier. stop
Suddenly I understand the sadness that can overtake you.
Or the anger that rises up to overcome you.
Hearing those thoughts and stories at the end of the day tell me more about you.
I learn more about the person I love and we become closer.
Yes, I learn about your warts too, but that comes with the package.
Learning about your warts and weaknesses makes me braver to share mine with you.
In the end, we can come before GOD, dressed in Jesus’ righteousness.
We understand more how broken we truly are;
How great the forgiveness is that He has provided us;
How much we need to share it with each other with the same grace He has given us.
Is it easy and cheap? No.
It is very costly…often excruciatingly painful.
That’s the way of forgiveness.
It is not easy, cheap or quick.
It takes time.
So does the process of developing closeness.
It seems they are all intertwined deeply together.
Forgive, listen, love, move closer, share your life
Lean on Jesus together.
After almost 50 years, I noticed tonight that we have challenges.
It is easy to take each other for granted.
Easy to get into ruts.
We need to take the time to share our lives verbally still…
And make time for affection and caring.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
and make straight paths for your feet,
so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Strive for peace with everyone,
and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God;
that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble,
and by it many become defiled;Hebrews 12:12-15
Shared on my Fibromyalgia _ Is It For Real FB page!
great mandy:)
I hadn’t thought about the difference between near and close before, but that is true- we can be near without being close. Your post also stirs gratitude for my work colleagues, because as well as working alongside each other we are genuinely close. We are very open with other and we look out for one another. It makes such a difference and I’m grateful because I know that’s not the case for many people at work.
you are so right lesley…when it comes to co-workers! not many people enjoy their co-workers or find them to be people with whom they feel close. you are very fortunate:)
Such an important reminder.
thanks tara:)
Thanks so much for this great reminder Martha. It is so easy to get in a rut, or take for granted those we are closest with. Taking the time to be together, oh yes! I needed this reminder friend.
i did too as i started writing this post christy. the post went to places i didn’t anticipate. it was very helpful.
“Forgive, listen, love, move closer, share your life
Lean on Jesus together.”
Martha, I really needed to read this today. I’ve been struggling with this with a friend. We live maybe an hour away and things have tough this year for both of us. It is been hard to stay close when we seemed to be before. But I’ve been learning how God will listen and help me continue to reach out even though it’s hard going from talking a lot to not as much. He’s helping me to be a friend when it is a challenge not to be all about me.
I really love, Lean on Jesus together. ☺️ Thank you for sharing this. Visiting from fmf.
i’m glad you came by julia:) i think it is doubly hard to move toward someone you were once close to when there seems to be more distance between you:( only GOD can give us the ability to do that.
What a great challenge! I wrote about this very thing in regard to friendships here:http://www.thesparksnotes.com/2017/12/analysis-of-wonder.html Thank you for sharing. Your FMF neighbor.
hi lauren:) you have the same last name as one of my daughters:) quite a coincidence! i ended up applying it to marriage b/c the thought came to me tonite re our marriage and how to be closer, but it also applies to other relationships as well! blessings:)