"Let Go Of Relationships That Have Run Their Course"

"Let go of relationships that have run their course." This came to me in prayer a few years ago but only now am I becoming comfortable in doing it. For it can be hard to say goodbye to people I enjoy but with whom they and I no longer have interests in common

In the course of life, people regularly come and go and that is fine. But what matters is to encourage this to happen in a loving and kind way, rather than with bad feelings. Recently I received a birthday card from a wonderful lady I have known off and on for many years. In that card she warmly expressed such very kind thoughts and I wrote her back thanking her, praising her and wishing her well, but without saying goodbye, simply leaving the door open should she ever want to walk through it again.

By contrast, several years ago, a man with whom I shared a long term friendship, suddenly didn't return my call. But for a few years before that, what had been an active friendship gradually became me calling him once a year to say hello and to listen to stories about the entertainment industry of which he was a part and of his global travels, his avocation. After not hearing back from him, I called back and got his lady companion. She expressed surprise he had not called back, apologized and said she would hand him my message. But again, there was no call back from him.

Briefly I was hurt, but then quickly realized he felt the friendship had run its course and he was uncomfortable telling me that. This was his way of saying it. Understanding what had happened, I smiled and in my mind sincerely wished him well, thankful for the happiness that friendship had brought us both. I then merrily moved on with my life. What I learned from this is to have the self-confidence to handle such issues with consideration and compassion. And that is what I do.

Dick