We all get connected to people over the years. Connections come from blood, some connections come from marriage, other connections come from dating, others from having grown up with someone, some from church or a campus ministry, from going to school together, or from being in the same organization, or from working together....the list goes on. Most people, though not all, become deeply connected with their own blood - sister, brother, mother, father - deep and intimate conversations and feelings can be expressed here. Rarely does a connection like this end outside of death. Similarly, the connection created between lifelong friends and from marriage is deeply rooted, sometimes more so than that created from blood, and it too lasts a life time. Some relationships remain merely at the acquaintance level, you stop to talk to them at church or on the street if you happen to see them, but no connection outside of that exists, your life goes on without them. Connections like these are easy to deal with.
However, not all connections are easy to deal with. Suppose you're dating someone and the relationship ends horribly in argument and bitterness. Do you simply throw that person in the trash? Certainly the easy thing to do. Or do you hope to become casual friends again? What about a relationship that ended peacefully? Some may try to date that person again - often I've found, though not always, it is met with failure. Or, maintaining a casual friendship after that is easy. Should you though? What if the next person you date is uncomfortable with you talking to your last partner? Or suppose one of your best friends, maybe one you grew up with, became addicted to "sex, drugs, and rock n' roll" as it were. Do you stay and help them, try to bring them back from that life while maybe risking your own well being? Or do you write them out of your life and simply pray for them each night before you go to bed? What WOULD Jesus do?
