DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS
15th Mar 2017
Years ago someone gave us a print-out entitled “50 Tips for Marriage” - practical things to do to encourage love, awareness, intimacy, etc. In any relationship it is possible to take each other for granted and live without the vital spark and connection that brings joy and thankfulness.
The list is pinned to the cupboard in our bathroom; I knew it was there but hadn’t looked at it for months or even longer. The other day I purposely read through the list evaluating whether or not I needed its advice? I also pondered on how these tips could be addressed to a relationship with God. Some things don’t come into the divine realm e.g. sending flowers, celebration birthdays, but much of the list encourages awareness of your spouse, thinking of them, anticipating their needs, being thankful, remembering past pleasures - simply appreciating who they are.
With these thoughts swirling around my mind I read Psalm 69 and was arrested by verse 30, “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” David is hurting and in pain, feeling lost and alone, misunderstood and crushed, looking for a friendly face, (verse 20) and finding none, not even a shoulder to cry on.
So he turns to praise and thank God, and as he does you can feel his mood change and hope being restored. He gains his God perspective, he remembers what God has promised and he understands once again how much God has done and will do for him.
Any relationship can lose vibrancy, but praise, thanksgiving, remembering good things can restore appreciation and rekindle love. I see this cycle of thanks and appreciation for former love and care developing into more thankfulness, more expectation, more joy released, more love flowing.
Let praise and specific thanks be on your lips today - in your human relationships, but also in your heavenly ones. It pleases God more than sacrifices and your praising attitude, especially when things are tough, brings Him great glory.
Ponder Psalm 69 - life was not easy for David, but praise and thanksgiving kept him moving on to victory.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
