Lesson: Common Denominator

When I was a child, I thought if I were to hold a kitten tightly that it would be the best way to hold it.  You know, tightly by its neck.  Squeezing it, lest it fall to the ground and "break."  I've been thinking about this lately...not squeezing a cat...but squeezing relationships.  

Just like I had to learn as a child, sometimes the best thing for a friendship (or any other relationship) is to loosen your hold on it so that the other person will...
see that you care...
know that you trust them...
not view you as needy & depending on their every move...

...so that when the time arises, they know that they can come to you.  

If you cling to that relationship and continue to not loosen your grip, the friendship (like the poor kitten whose airway was becoming more and more restricted until my mom stepped in) begins to suffocate...and eventually dies.  

A couple of things that have helped me...
1. Loosen my hold on the relationship;
2. Step back and access the situation.  Put yourself in their shoes.  (Let's just hope their shoes are fabulous!); and
3. Ask yourself honestly, "Am I being ridiculous and needy?"

If this is not the first time that you've experienced friendships/relationships dying, be realistic and FINALLY REALIZE -->  YOU...not the other person...ARE THE COMMON DENOMINATOR and then ask the Lord to change you and the value that you've put on others instead of on Him.