The following was written by a guest blogger who is a dear friend of mine. I think what she has to say will be a blessing to you. ~ Brooke
Like many teenage girls, I babysat to earn a few extra bucks. I bonded with my little charges as I changed their dirty diapers, hunted for them in a game of hide-and-seek, and soothed them to sleep with a bed-time story. However, a special relationship developed with just one little guy over the years, so much so that one day as I left him with his mother, I heard him whisper to her, “Mommy, I love her.”
A relationship between a babysitter and her charge is just one of many relationships that exist. There are those between spouses, siblings, friends, and coworkers, just to name a few. Not only are there many, but they vary in depth – some are deep, but others casual. Despite the depth, we should display love in each one – whether they are casual and fleeting, deep and ongoing, or troubled and broken.
The grocery store clerk or the stranger we bump into are those with whom we have casual or fleeting associations. Small acts of love can go a long way in these relationships. Kind words may encourage the down-hearted grocery clerk, and returning the lost wallet to the stranger who’s unaware that it’s missing may cause him to consider if he’d do the same. Acts of loving-kindness, even in brief and informal relationships, glorify God.
“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
The best friend or beloved family member are those with whom we’ve developed deep and ongoing bonds. In these relationships, love should have no boundaries. We may bake a cake to congratulate the friend’s success or fly across the country to comfort the grandparent in sorrow. Love should always be at the ready in deep and ongoing relationships to celebrate blessings and provide comfort in sorrow.
Like many teenage girls, I babysat to earn a few extra bucks. I bonded with my little charges as I changed their dirty diapers, hunted for them in a game of hide-and-seek, and soothed them to sleep with a bed-time story. However, a special relationship developed with just one little guy over the years, so much so that one day as I left him with his mother, I heard him whisper to her, “Mommy, I love her.”
A relationship between a babysitter and her charge is just one of many relationships that exist. There are those between spouses, siblings, friends, and coworkers, just to name a few. Not only are there many, but they vary in depth – some are deep, but others casual. Despite the depth, we should display love in each one – whether they are casual and fleeting, deep and ongoing, or troubled and broken.
The grocery store clerk or the stranger we bump into are those with whom we have casual or fleeting associations. Small acts of love can go a long way in these relationships. Kind words may encourage the down-hearted grocery clerk, and returning the lost wallet to the stranger who’s unaware that it’s missing may cause him to consider if he’d do the same. Acts of loving-kindness, even in brief and informal relationships, glorify God.
“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
The best friend or beloved family member are those with whom we’ve developed deep and ongoing bonds. In these relationships, love should have no boundaries. We may bake a cake to congratulate the friend’s success or fly across the country to comfort the grandparent in sorrow. Love should always be at the ready in deep and ongoing relationships to celebrate blessings and provide comfort in sorrow.
“A friend loves at all times…”
Proverbs 17:17a
The frustrated coworker or the friend who caused hurt are those with whom we have troubled or broken connections. Exhibiting love in these relationships is essential for peace and restoration. Offering to help the aggravated coworker with his tasks can soothe troubled waters, and praying for the friend who caused hurt can build a bridge towards restoration. In troubled and broken relationships, love’s power to soothe and heal reaches beyond what we can see.
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Luke 6:27
While it’s true that we live in a sinful world and no relationship will ever be perfect, as Christians, we can model Godly relationships – ones in which love abounds and God’s glory is revealed. And sometimes we are blessed to have special relationships, where love reigns supreme, as I had with my young charge of nearly 15 years ago.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I Corinthians 13:4 – 7
As Christians, we know to look to the bond between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as our relationship model. Because mankind is created in God’s image, and because God is relational, we are relational too.
So after building good relationships, how do we sustain them? There are many different ways to cultivate good relationships and one short article couldn’t possibly list them all. But, keeping God at the center, and displaying love, humility, and selflessness are no doubt essential to sustaining healthy relationships. The moment we focus on self we risk halting the growth of a new relationship, disrupting the balance of a harmonious relationship, and ruining the chance of restoring a broken relationship. ~ TW
Proverbs 17:17a
The frustrated coworker or the friend who caused hurt are those with whom we have troubled or broken connections. Exhibiting love in these relationships is essential for peace and restoration. Offering to help the aggravated coworker with his tasks can soothe troubled waters, and praying for the friend who caused hurt can build a bridge towards restoration. In troubled and broken relationships, love’s power to soothe and heal reaches beyond what we can see.
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Luke 6:27
While it’s true that we live in a sinful world and no relationship will ever be perfect, as Christians, we can model Godly relationships – ones in which love abounds and God’s glory is revealed. And sometimes we are blessed to have special relationships, where love reigns supreme, as I had with my young charge of nearly 15 years ago.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I Corinthians 13:4 – 7
As Christians, we know to look to the bond between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as our relationship model. Because mankind is created in God’s image, and because God is relational, we are relational too.
So after building good relationships, how do we sustain them? There are many different ways to cultivate good relationships and one short article couldn’t possibly list them all. But, keeping God at the center, and displaying love, humility, and selflessness are no doubt essential to sustaining healthy relationships. The moment we focus on self we risk halting the growth of a new relationship, disrupting the balance of a harmonious relationship, and ruining the chance of restoring a broken relationship. ~ TW
