The 'R' Word: Relationships

Relationships are everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE. We have relationships with family, friends, yourself, bosses, coworkers, teachers, students, classmates, boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, team members, pets, the people we resent the most and most importantly God. But the relationships I want to focus are the family, significant other and friend relationships.

A relationship is defined as the way in which two or more concepts, objects or people are connected or the state of being connected. It's also the way in which two or more people or organizations regard and behave toward each other. With that being defined, how are your relationships? Specifically how are your relationships with your parents, your siblings, your significant other, your friends, yourself and with your God? 

Personally, I struggle with some of these. My relationship with my mom is one that has endured a lot of pain. As I was growing up, my mom was not my best friend. Not at all. She used to DRIVE ME CRAZY. I always thought my punishments were unnecessary and that she was overreacting. It wasn't until I realized my freshman year that she is the only parent I have. She was the person I lied in bed to cry with for about two weeks after my first heart break. She is my biggest fan and my biggest supporter. Not gonna lie to you, there are times where even now we get all sassy with each other and huff and puff. However, as much as I look forward to having my own rules and to beginning adulthood I know I'll be calling my mom crying cause I miss her so much. My siblings on the other hand, we're a hot mess. My older sister lives in California, I think. I don't really talk to her too much, well actually, I don't talk to her. My older brother, he's the kind of brother you can sit at the kitchen table with at 11pm and just BS with him. I find him hilarious, but we aren't the heart to heart kind of siblings. My younger sister, she's the one I interact with the most. She's got so much strength it blows me away. We are the closest in age and you can tell. We fight like no other, but we also love like no other. She's my baby girl and I can't wait for her to begin her life. As far as a significant other, I don't really have one. I mean I have an interest in a certain fella, but we're still on that build and explore pages so he's cool. My friends are interesting. I have some that challenge me, some that bring me up, and some that just weigh me down. My relationship with myself is probably the one that struggles most. My relationship with my God, it gets brighter everyday. 

So what are the relationships supposed to look like, according to the bible?

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. -Proverbs 13:20
In other words, surround yourself with those are wise. Those that will lead you in the right direction.

 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. -John 15:13
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. -Hebrews 10:24-25
Bring each other up, daily. Surround yourself with those that encourage you and help you become a better you. 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. -Ephesians 4:2-3

How are your relationships?

Song of Inspiration: 
Come As You Are - David Crowder