It's Worth It

've been thinking a lot about relationship lately. Last week in this newsletter I made the comment that 'I choose relationship'. I don't say that tritely or mean that flippantly. Choosing relationship is a day by day decision. And it is HARD! Choosing relationship means that we often have to be humble and let the other person be right. It means that we have to be vulnerable and risk being hurt. Many times we have to lay down our own opinions and judgements and have complete acceptance for that person and the decisions they choose to make.

If we choose relationship it means sacrifice. There will be times that we have to give up some of our valuable time to be with someone. There will be times that we have to MAKE time to spend with them. In other words, it has to be a priority. Maybe it means sending that text when they cross our minds just to say we are thinking of them. Or maybe we could even pick up the phone and give them a call. Now I know that seems a little over the top for some of you, but it works!! Words, real words, not just texts are powerful.

We've been talking about the Core Principles of the PARC a lot lately. One of our Core Principles is Relationship. Everything we do and every decision we make is based upon this. We've been asking if it is really possible to run a 'business' based on relationship? It gets really messy and really hard. Should our non-profit be run more like a business and we let our Core Principles just be for our members? That's a hard question.

We've decided. Knowing that it is going to be hard, difficult, messy and often confusing, we are STILL going to choose relationship. Every time. That is what Jesus did. That is what Jesus says. Relationship sometimes means letting someone walk away. There is beauty and pain in relationship in spite of risk and in spite of the inevitable 'goodbye'.

We have a plaque hanging in our building that is a dedication to Robert who started the PARC with us. It says, "We choose relationship, knowing the hard part will come. We choose it because that is God's plan and intention for us. We are all better, richer and more fulfilled when we dare to have relationship. it takes courage and selflessness, but it is worth it. the PARC Chooses relationship"