A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. PROVERBS 17:17 NIV 

My grandmother had eight children, and at the end of her life she was cared for by her youngest daughter. My grandmother was grateful for her children and that they cared for her so well. I suspect you’ve heard the same thing I have: When people are at the end of their lives, none of them wish they’d spent more time at work; none wish they’d hustled a little harder to make more money; none count the fancy house or car as being very important at all. At the end, what matters to most people are relationships. And when those who are dying do have regrets, they wish they had invested more into  their relationships. 

Relationships are going to be a big part of discovering the gift of you. If you want to have a life you love, invest in your relationships. Rather than sleeping in, get up on Saturday morning to do breakfast with a girlfriend. Do a video call with an old friend who lives across the country. And if you want to get really crazy—and I hope you do—write and send a card to someone you love. 

Nurturing your relationships is a key ingredient to discovering the gift of you. 

In different seasons of our lives, God places different people in our lives. Spend time making a list of the precious relationships—family and friends—whom God has given to you over the years. Then make an action plan to connect. 

God, You have gifted me with family and friends, and I recognize the ways You’ve loved me through them. Help me to love them the way You do. Amen.