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Relationships are important, but there is one that is more important than all others. What we decide about that relationship will set the trajectory for the rest of our life. Listen in to learn more. Am I the only one, or do you ever think about how the trajectory of your life has been shaped by a single event you experienced many years ago? And how when that event occurred you had no idea how it would alter the rest of your life?

Each year, when tomorrow comes around, April 4th, I can\\u2019t help think but think of the most important event of my life that happened on that day. Just thinking about April 4th will often get me teary eyed. Even after all these years.

What happened on that April 4th still moves me because it involves a relationship, a relationship that after many years continues to grow. I wrote about it in a book I had published in 2016, THEM - The Richer Life Found in Caring for Others. I\\u2019d like to share an excerpt from it that describes what happened. I\\u2019ll also have a link to the book in the show notes.

Before I begin, I need to tell you about Carol, as some of you have asked, \\u201cWho in the World is Carol?\\u201d that I mention at the beginning of every episode. I\\u2019ve waited until now to tell you about Carol because she is a key player in the story I\\u2019m about to share.

Carol is the person who introduces each episode. She does voice overs and commercials for a Christian radio station in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin that is run by her husband Terry. Last year as I was telling Terry and Carol about the podcast I was starting, they both suggested Carol could record the introduction. She also does marketing at the station, and before this, she hosted a noon-time TV show in Fargo, ND, where her husband Terry was the producer.

I first met Carol through my wife Janet before we were married. Janet met Carol in a class they were taking together their freshman year in college.

So that\\u2019s the background to the story I\\u2019m going to read from my book, THEM. This is from chapter seven entitled, \\u201cRunning on Empty.\\u201d

[Read the sections from chapter 7]

Before I close, here\\u2019s the he main take-away from today\\u2019s episode, our show in a sentence

The most important relationship of all is our relationship with Jesus. It is the key to a fulfilling life both in this world, and in the next world to come.

Here\\u2019s a way you can respond to today\\u2019s show

I just shared the most important relationship story in my life. How about yours? What is an important relationship story you have? Our listeners and I would love to hear it. Please give it some thought and then email your story of a relationship that has impacted your life for the better. You can send it to John [at] Caring for Others [dot org].

Coming up next week

There\\u2019s more to be said about the role of stories in our relationships, and that\\u2019s what we\\u2019ll be doing in next week\\u2019s episode.

Closing

Thank you for listening in to today\\u2019s show. I hope you found it encouraging to think back to the stories that have shaped your life. My the stories yet to be written about our relationships bring life and encouragement to each of us.

Relationship Quote of the Week

We need to remind each other of our own stories. ~ John Certalic

Well that\\u2019s it for today. I look forward to connecting with you next week. Good bye for now.

Resources mentioned in today\\u2019s show

THEM - The Richer Life Found in Caring for Others