All About Relationships...

I am thinking of relationships (the joy, the laughter, even the sorrow) after I spent the most wonderful weekend with my family celebrating extended family being in town, a 1st birthday for my niece and Mother's Day. These times cause you to pause and reflect...my family is amazing and I feel fortunate to count them as my closest friends as well. Right now, these relationships may seem easy but they come with work. Also, these relationships would not be as strong as they are if we could not all be ourselves and be real with eachother.


My number one purpose in life is to serve and glorify my Lord. He has called me to do this as his child and his follower. My relationship with HIM is priority numero uno but what comes in second? I think this is where even many "strong" believers falter. We can choose Christ has our first priority and devote our time and energy to him but what comes next? Many choose their job, their spouse, their kids, themselves... thinking this way is too specific. I believe that God has called us to live in community with one another, as the body, and therefore our next priority is our relationships. Relationships with our family, friends, co-workers, and even those that we may not know personally but come in to contact with in one way or another every day.

Are these relationships fruitful? Are they pleasing to the Lord? Do we only take from our relationships or do we give as well? It is so important to have strong, healthy relationships in our life to help us grow, for people to be real with, to tell the truth even if it isn't what we want to hear, to laugh with, to share in blessings AND sorrows, and to be a part of the bigger picture. Our lives are not about working all the time, striking it rich, having a nice house or car, staying up on trends and fashions...when you really think about it: what good are these things if you are all alone?

I think of this often and it helps me to remember to WORK at my relationships. Relationships, even with family, do not come easy. There are some that will feel like you are down-right pulling teeth in some seasons of life and other times that same relationship with flow with ease.
The other aspect of this is knowing when a relationship is pulling you down or detrimental to your NUMBER ONE priority. Remember, it is easier to be pulled down than for you to pull someone up. Place your relationship with the Lord above all else and then the relationships that matter and that will last will weed themselves out.

Finally, these are just findings from my own experiences and the word of God. I am by no means a pro at relationships or even an amateur- I fail every day. But through God's leading and his word I can start each day new and work on these relationships that bring so much joy to my life! And hopefully I, in turn, can bring joy to others.