RELATIONSHIPS September 15, 2008 Issue

A RELATIONSHIP WORTH CELEBRATING

LAURIE M. SCOTT

HAVE YOU EVER had a relationship that was not working? I had one of those, and I finally just gave up trying. Whenever one relative and I were in the same room, there was just cool politeness. We lived far apart and had very little contact, so I was able to avoid the situation for a long time.

The only problem was I felt I was saying by my actions that something — for example, this difficult relationship — was incurable. And I really didn't want to do that.

Then a big family celebration was coming up, and this relative and I were both going to be attending. The date was approaching, and my husband asked me a favor. "Laur, I know there's no good time to bring this up, but I want to talk to you about that relationship. Would you please just pray about it? That's all I'm asking."