Let’s talk about faith in our relationships. All of our relationships. What role does faith play?

It’s a complex subject to be able to figure out in one processing session. I have had to discover over time how my faith showed up in relationship to the close people in my life. Even if it meant that my faith was tested.

To me, faith in relationship doesn’t mean that it’s what is going to keep the relationship going. It means that it’s going to take the relationship on its natural course.

In relationship, I have faith that I love the person. I have faith that they don’t wake up in the morning thinking of ways to hurt me. And that if I do get hurt, i know that it took many steps to get there. Faith in relationship means that I am constantly looking at what role I play within it. I will make mistakes, I have faith in that, and I will also grow from those mistakes. Because I want to.

Faith in relationship means not having expectations or a vision of what I’d like it to be. It means recognizing that just as I have things to work through, and will have things to work through the rest of my life, so do they. Faith is saying “I’m all in.”

As with all aspects of faith, relationships begin with us. We cannot change others but if we look inside ourselves we can hold onto the fact that we are doing our best. And as long as we’re doing our best (whatever that means) the course is going to take its course. I may be repeating myself when I say “We Have No Control Over Where Things Are Going.” We can only control the way in which we get there. Faithful or doubtful? Optimistic or pessimistic? Joyful or bitter? Excited or afraid? We get to choose.

What role does faith play in your relationships?

Open your hearts a little more today. Love you!

Rabbi Gabi