by Meredith Berger
For my birthday, my friend gave me a very thoughtful gift – “Heart Talk” by Cleo Wade, and an invite to go see her speak in DC. This gift was perfect, since my friend and I are both constantly discussing emotional intelligence, especially in relationships. We talk about strengthening friendships, putting time into them, and the importance of listening. We try to find ways to make a casual meet-up with a friend be less about catching up, and more about making new memories. We want to be as invested as possible in our relationships, because they are so important to us. In “Heart Talk” Wade writes,
“Relationships run on rededication recommitment. No relationship can sustain itself on one big gesture or one moment of shining behavior. Harmony and stability in our relationships with ourselves, our families, our friends, and our partners come from showing up every single day with a fresh desire for growth, intimacy, and goodness. Love cannot flourish on autopilot. It requires renewed devotion every moment of every day. Devote yourself to love.”
This can be applied not only to the relations she mentions – families, friend, partners – but also to our relationship with God. A mentor once told me that prayer is like eating. If we only eat a few times a week, we’ll feel empty and hungry. Our relationships on Earth don’t survive (successfully) on sporadic gestures or occasional thought, they require commitment, persistence, and patience. Relationships define us and our relationship with God defines us the best. When we dedicate ourselves daily to making our relationship with God the most important one in our life, every other relationship we have will be blessed.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)
