A Mess Worth Making

Have any of you read the book called "Relationships A Mess Worth Making" by Timothy S Lane & Paul D Tripp? If not, I would recommend reading it. It's very insightful, I'm grateful that a dear friend recommended it to me. I feel like I'm highlighting just about every line!

It talks about how "God created us to be relational beings because he is a social God and how relationships are not perfect and require work if they are going to thrive."

Is there a relationship that you struggle with? I bet we all have at least one person that we find difficult to get along with. In fact, I would even bet some of us have asked God to show them their flaws so that they will change their behavior.

I love how the book says "God keeps us in messy relationships for his redemptive purpose. We prefer that God would change the relationship, but he won't be content until the relationship changes us too." WOW! Think about that for a minute...how often are we asking God to change others? If only "they" could see what they are doing wrong. Yet, how often is God asking us to look at ourselves and we quickly realize WE are the ones who need to change? If we are honest I bet we all struggle with this, but when we take a hard look at ourselves it's a humbling experience isn't it? That's why it's critical that we take inventory of our own behaviors!

This reminds me of Matthew 7:1-3 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use,, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? I don't know about you, but I know I need this reminder!

The great news is the Bible offers hope for ALL of our relationships! As the book says "When God reigns in our hearts, peace reigns in our relationships. This hope challenges whatever complacency and discouragement we might have about our relationships because there is always more growth, peace, and blessing that God's grace can bring, even here on earth." Wow, amen right friends? What would we do without grace!!

Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

There are so many insightful verses on grace, here's just a few that spoke to me! I hope you will share your favorite Bible passages with me!

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Friends, our challenge is to offer the grace God bestows on us daily to each person we encounter the grace that God bestows on us daily!

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime