Taking for Granted

There are two things we take for granted and in doing so let important moments slip away. One of those things is the people that God has put into our lives to be our encouragement--to sustain us through their love and presence. This truth most of us reflect on occasionally or on special holidays. We--I--draw great encouragement and strength from those who I know love me and will continue to love me no matter how many stupid things I may do in the future or how many times I may selfishly protect myself from being hurt, and in doing so, cause them disappointment and sorrow. Those who love us so unconditionally are one of God's greatest gifts, are they not? Could we make it through life and its struggles without them? I think not.
But there's one other thing. We often take for granted that we have such an impact on the lives of others as well. They need our love, our presence, our touch. They are counting on us to be their unconditional lovers, the ones in whose presence they feel perfectly secure and deeply cared for. We take them for granted when we fail to love them so, and when we fail to give them our presence--to make ourselves available to them whenever they need us, even when they don't recognize the fact that they need us. We have through the Spirit of God been given the gift of encouragement. We have been called to be encouragers and to be joyful recipients of encouragement. Such moments are the highlights of our lives. We must treasure them always.
Thank you to those who are my treasures. I pray that through God's Spirit, you will always feel as safe and loved in my presence as I feel in yours.