God, Why Build Relationships?

Why do I have this need to relate to others? Why do I invest in friendships wherever I go? Why can't I just be a hermit--be "an island" that only worries about itself and takes care of itself without regard for those islands around it? Why do relationships have to hurt so much and take so much out of you while still putting so much into you? Why do I care about others?

I don't need anyone's answers to these questions because I intellectually know the answers. I was created to be in relationship with God and therefore with others. I enjoy being involved in other people's lives and getting to know them. I am not built to be a permanent hermit. Pain is a part of personal and relational growth. Care for others shows maturity.

Those are the pat, intellectual anwers, but they don't negate the very real emotional turmoil that occurs each time someone's island bumps into my own and makes a lasting positive impact upon my island. My person, my island, must look like the moon with its vast craters because so many people have bounced into my island and left a permanent imprint, but they are no longer bodily visible. The crater remains an echo of the body that once was involved with my life.

I am a cratered island.

The following is a list of other islands that have crashed into my island and made a lasting crater. I wish to acknowledge their impact and let it be remembered through all time. My craters have been made by Amy N, Timmy S, Trevor D, Nardeen F, Afsaneh A, Mary Lou G, Astha R, Poushali M, Jennifer M-L, Serena C, Rachel R-W, Diana S, Sanjna & Shalini T, Ruth dH, Renae T, Elizabeth M, Rebekah D-S, Kristen S, Rebecca V-M, Mandy W-C, Sarah K-S, Kristen N, Rachel O, April V, Dan P, Liz P, Elizabeth G, Katie MC, Erica, Joyce W, Sarah D, Joy B, Regan H, Sheryl & Brian B, Leslie S, Elissa B, Jesse K, Ian N, & Katie H. There are many more crater creating island people but I can't recall all of them.

I am a cratered island whose crater-causers often re-impress their imprint upon their craters (ie. I often cross paths with them unexpectedly). Sometimes I wish I weren't such an imprintable island but then I wouldn't be living and life is painful but well worth it.