This is my Therapy (Blogging that is)

I don't post here as often as I should. I mean my last blog post was in February. However I will more than likely be blogging weekly this semester for a class. So look for a revamped blog with often posts coming then. At this point in time I have been writing a blog post a week for work, thus not really setting aside enough time to blog here. This is not an excuse, merely an explanation to cover what is to come.

On to blog time.

Honestly I never meant for this to become a blog about relationships. When dealing with relationships though is when I have the most on my mind to sort through typically.

What is worth fighting for in a relationship?
What does a Godly relationship look like?

Now I'm not just talking about like a significant other type relationship, but true friendship (which I consider to be a form of a relationship), and any other form of connection that could fit inside a relationship (such as family members ect.).

Now I'm not a relationship guru, honestly most would consider me a relationship dunce. I'm not good at maintaining relationships, I just kind of let them happen. Family relationships are the only things that I really put effort into. It's like I have expected relationships to work.

It hasn't been until this summer that I have really began to figure out what it means to maintain relationships. I have begun to notice things about relationships that I have so blindly missed before, that somehow now are beginning to make sense.

As someone in ministry, we aren't just simply expected to teach, we are called to be learning as well. The unique thing is standing before a group of people to teach them, and experiencing, (learning) what God has meant for you. This summer most of it has had a central focus on past relationship mistakes and how to overcome them.

Now I am beginning to see even clearer than before what makes a Godly relationship, and what is worth fighting for in a relationship. I have had it in my head at times that if a person really cares about the relationship that they will make sure it lasts. In the end this has just left me with a lot of unfulfilled relationships. A true relationship takes two people.

I have began trying this concept of making sure that if someone wants to develop a relationship with me, that I do my end to uphold that relationship. Fighting for the right things in a relationship and not for just what I want in a relationship. In doing so I have found more fulfilling friendships.

The key though to all of this has been taking the time to listen to what it is that God wants in my relationships, what he has been teaching me this summer. It has been a truly enlightening and personally growing experience. I'm excited to see what God has for future relationships.

I like where we are; Here

So I recently met a new lady friend.  Given my past experiences with these sorts of things, I rely a lot on God's leadership as well as past experiences to help guide me through these things.  

I really enjoy getting to know someone, that part is easy.  The hard part is then taking the step from friendship to relationship.  This is something that I have grown more comfortable with over the years.  (I don't know if this is from experiences or if this is due to the amount of communications classes I have, anyway I'd say it's a good thing).  When making this transition, it is very helpful to make sure that both people are on the same page.  This avoids awkward situations in the long run.

As you takes steps from friendship to relationship, it is a good idea to make sure that both of you are on the same page about what you expect through the relationship.  This also can help avoid situations further down the road.

I never imagined I would be writing about this subject.  However in light of my recent experiences I felt compelled to write down these things.  Attached below are a few books I might suggest as well...

      

So Lets Forgive E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E, E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G, ALL THE TIME

          This week has been an interesting one for me.  I have been getting to know people that I've been around for a while and with that they have been getting to know me.  This is an interesting thing if you think about it, getting to know someone.  The reciprocal action is just as interesting, people getting to know you.
          Friendship should be transparent, but it isn't necessarily.  I read in my Intro to Comm class that relationships are like onions with many layers.  I think this is an interesting thought, with each part being removed you're getting to know someone alittle bit better.  If relationships didn't work this way, people would know who a person was, the moment they started talking to them.  Instead though we spend hours, days, months, getting to know people, getting to understand their thought process, peeling deeper into the onion so to speak.
          As I've gotten to know people, they peel deeper into my life, but because each person is different, they peel into different sections of the onion.  Essentially different people learn different things about me.  Why doesn't everyone know everything about me?  Because it'd be uncomfortable, people would JUDGE me.  That's an interesting thought, people judging, when if they were solid Christians, they would know that judging me is a sin.  If they aren't a Christian, then typically they don't judge, they live and let live.  Now why does this happen?  Maybe that's a question for another blog.
          We are supposed to be about love, we aren't supposed to be about judging.  Instead people are afraid to be open, cause they will be judged.  I'm afraid to be open about my life because I will be judged.  So this is the thought, why not be like Christ?  Isn't that what we are called to do?  Christ loved people no matter who they were.  Now I'm not implying that I'm a horrible person, I'm not implying that I'm hurt cause people judge me, that's their problem.  I'm just saying that things need to be different.