Hello By My Side friends,
This week marks new beginnings for us all as we enter the fall season. It’s a new school year, with two of my grandchildren starting Grade 1 and Junior Kindergarten. They are both very excited and a little nervous at the same time. They attend their local neighborhood Catholic school, where they will continue to learn about their faith and their relationship with Jesus.
Today, I thought I would touch on the topic of a true relationship with Jesus and what exactly that entails. Last month, I mentioned that the most important thing the Lord wants from us is a relationship with Him through prayer.
A true friendship with Jesus is not one where we lead separate lives and only chat with Him sometimes, like on Sundays at Mass. True love and true friendship demand a more intimate connection—one of dependency and trust. It’s about speaking freely about what bothers us. It’s about fostering a relationship that opens itself to growing stronger in the bond of divine love. It’s also about speaking the hard truths of the concerns you have and nurturing the eternal relationship we share.
Friendship with God is never a casual relationship that can be set aside whenever something more interesting or pleasurable comes along. Instead, it keeps us rooted in the things that bring us eternal life and joy.
A true friend looks out for us, helping us see things we cannot see ourselves. A true friend asks the tough questions and insists we provide answers—not because they need to hear the truth, but because we do. Not because something is wrong with us, but because they know and love who we truly are, and they want us to know and love our true selves as well. A true friend will always do what is best for us, no matter the cost, because we are precious in their eyes.
This is the friendship that Jesus offers us. This is a vine that will bear much fruit.
I am excited to watch my grandchildren begin this new chapter of their lives as they discover the joys of school life, learning, and the treasures found in their Catholic faith, as well as a growing relationship with Jesus.
Enjoy this fall season, everyone.
Love,
MJ xo
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