Are you a risk taker with your relationships?

A few months ago, my daughter and her husband jumped off a building in Las Vegas for the thrill of it. Oh they were safe enough, harnessed and all. But not safe enough for Mom and Dad.

Her decision to participate in this kind of activity is partially our fault. We raised her to take risks--getting on stage at an amusement park at age five, trying out for softball even when she thought she was no good, getting a job at a camp at aged fourteen, and moving to Florida to finish her final years of school.

I'm not so much of a risk taker although I've done my share--marrying a man with wanderlust, quitting a stable job of seventeen years to buy a store, driving across country to Texas. You've probably done similar things.

But when it comes to people and relationships I'm much more cautious.

In the past four years of  trying to keep afloat in the recession in Florida, many of our friends moved away for jobs or pulled away because we couldn't spend time with them like we had before. Some family members grew distant because of misunderstandings, others just didn't care that we were living on next to nothing and trying to survive.

So perhaps the hardest part of this move to Texas is putting my trust in people back on the table. My husband and I have made a deal--if anyone reaches out to us--we reach back. We want the fellowship we used to have.

But it's not so easy. Connecting with people isn't always that easy.

Last week a couple exchanged phone numbers with us in front of a Walgreen's Red box and invited us to their church.I've looked at the scrap of paper all week wondering if I should really call them. Wondering if they meant to be so friendly--and if we responded would it amount to anything?

My next step is to attend their church without calling first. Who knows? They just might remember us.

What risks in relationships have you taken recently?


PS We did attend the church on Sunday and they did remember us:) Step one --Check!