Difficult relationships are not healed by avoidance.  

In 2 Samuel 14, David encounters a delicate situation with his son Absalom.

Do we deeply see others we're in relationship with? Some reasons we fail in this:

- we're too self centered to try 

- we're too anxious

- we reduce them to one characteristic

- we freeze people in time 

Sometimes in difficult relationships, we are are unwilling to step toward forgiveness or reconciliation.  We must honestly search our hearts to see if we have done our part.  In 2 Samuel 14, David is called on to break the cycle of difficult relationships in his family.  Have you taken steps to really see those in your life?  Justice and mercy is better than avoidance and bitterness. 

Is there a small step we can take to not avoid others? 

Do we need to apologize?  Forgive?  

Is there someone we can attempt to really see?