Some people say that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. But, sometimes you don’t remember what you had until to find it again.

Two Saturdays ago, my wife and I went to Tennessee for a wedding. We lived in Tennessee for a short time, and during that time we became very close friends with a very special couple, Stan and Roxanne. At this wedding, Stan and Roxanne were the parents of the groom.

Since leaving Tennessee almost 3 years ago I have talked to Stan a few times, but hadn’t seen either of them. So, when I saw them before the wedding I wasn’t surprised how happy I was to see them. However, I have to admit, when I saw them walk down the isle of that church during the wedding I almost lost it. It was in that moment that I realized how much I had missed these sweet people.

I have learned a few things from this. First, it is frighteningly easy to neglect relationships that are vitally important. I think this accounts for many close friendships that go sour or get lost in the shuffle of life. This also accounts for many marriages that dissolve into emptiness. Second, relationships can’t be taken for granted. No relationship is so good that it doesn’t require work. Third, I can’t support, encourage and enjoy my friends if I don’t know what is going on in their lives.

So, here is my encouragement to you. Reconnect. Reconnect with friends and family that you love dearly but have lost touch with. Reconnect with people that you have broken relationships with, offering and seeking forgiveness. Reconnect to people within the church that have faded from view.

Do this for your benefit as well as theirs. By nature we are relational people. So, by reconnecting we are building for ourselves a larger community to take part in, to be supported by, and to give support to.