When I study the relational engagements of Christ I find a reoccurring pattern. Whether it is the woman at the well in John 4, Peter in Mark 16:7, Zacchaeus in Luke 19, or the woman in John 8, Jesus consistently relates to others using what I would call his C.A.R.E. plan. If you look closely, He is always showing that He cares by reaching out to others with Compassion, Awareness, Respect, and Encouragement. I wonder what would happen to the quality of our relationships if we would do the same. Marriages would strengthen, parent/child relationships would deepen, relationships at work and school and in our community would get better.

Pray each day that God will help you relate to others with greater care and compassion, increased awareness of where they are and what they are going through, deeper respect for every person as someone who has been created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with utmost value and dignity, and sincere encouragement as we seek to build others up.