The hopeful eyes of the young woman watched each of the investors as she waited to hear her fate. Would they invest in her idea? The West Texas Investors Club (a show on CNBC-similar to the popular Shark Tank show on ABC) made her an offer. For a certain percentage of her business, they would become her partners. She cried and laughed at the same time and everyone hugged. After she left the room, one investor commented, "I think she really just needed our friendship" while the other one nodded in agreement.
As much as we would love that feeling, and appreciate a relationship where someone invested in us, this cannot be one way. Just like the investors who form partnerships - there are responsibilities and expectations for both sides. We can't always be on the receiving end. We have to give love and respect to receive acceptance and care.
I was struck by the observation and the sincerity of those investors. How amazing would it feel to have someone say to you, "I like you, and I am going to invest in you"? How would each day, week, month, and year, be different if each one of us knew that there was just one person who would always be there for us?
As much as we would love that feeling, and appreciate a relationship where someone invested in us, this cannot be one way. Just like the investors who form partnerships - there are responsibilities and expectations for both sides. We can't always be on the receiving end. We have to give love and respect to receive acceptance and care.
One time a friend said, "Hey, I haven't heard from you!" Before I could reply, he said, "Of course, I could have called, too."
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly,
since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 ESV
Dear Lord, thank You for loving us with Your everlasting love (see Jeremiah 31:3) and for choosing us (see John 15:16). Please give us wisdom and understanding on how to choose to care for others with love and respect. Please help us to recognize that we are choosing relationships and how to let go and allow others to make their own choices in relationships. Help us to get past our own busyness and reach out to others when we think of them. We know it is not just the thought that counts because actions speak louder than words. In Jesus Name, amen.
Written by Mary M. Wilkins
Casting Crowns performs "Does Anybody Hear Her?"
The Lord appeared to us in the past,[a] saying:
ReplyDelete“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31;3
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16