Mall watching- As I sat on a bench, I couldn’t help noticing a shop-owner in a perfume/cologne shop. The store wasn’t busy at all, in fact no one was in their but him and it was almost closing time. As I reminisced of those “wonderful” days in retail, suddenly the look on his face went from boredom to great delight. In walked some people (perhaps relatives or good friends) that lit up his face. Certainly they all knew each other. The man that walked in (young enough to be his son, but acted more like a good friend) was just as excited to see the older man. The ladies (one older and one younger) walked in happily as well with a couple of children who acted as though they knew the shop-owner would be surprised to see them all. ---That freeze-frame in time, as the shop-owner held out his hand behind the counter while his friend (or relative) was several steps away spoke loudly to me. In another setting I believe the shop-owner would have jumped over the counter to give the other guy a great big bear hug.—but this was the mall. Yet the happiness, the joy that was reflecting on the faces of all these made one thing for certain---these people knew each other. These people had some kind of relationship. They probably hadn’t seen each other for some time. Oh what a happy day when we see Jesus face to face. What will I do? Jump the counter and not care what anyone else thinks…Fall down on my knees and cry…Yell and scream “Jesus” as loud as I can.---I know this kind of sounds like a song we wore out a few years ago. Relationships are important. They are vital to our smile. They bring joy. And those that have relationships share the burdens of sorrow as well. One thing is for sure: relationships are a key to happiness. Until Jesus returns building relationships is key to our happiness.