It creeps up on those who are not vigilant.
First there was the burst of fresh interest and a great desire to be available and flexible. Often it’s mutual. Yet over time some habits sneak in. The little that you knew becomes much to you, enough for you to make small assumptions. The habits and assumptions get to be comfortable crutches on which you rely. Rather than finding out for yourself, you rest on the assumption. Before too long, with the help of life’s busyness, we succeed in taking the relationship for granted. The intensity has waned, some of that interest faded and there is little to suggest a desire to reignite what made things so dynamic.
It’s bad enough when things are at that stage would most likely leads to taking things for granted. It gets worse when the decisions we make means we become negligent of hurt and sorrow in the life of those we say we care.
As relationships are hard to find and might help when the going gets tough, I keep learning how important it is to listen to the other. Listen widely and carefully and make careful note of what matters to them and accommodate.
Some relationships will far by the wayside. This is inevitable. Taking them for granted is something we can all address. And address as soon as we know it’s happening.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 