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Archive for the ‘Relationships’ Category

Song of Solomon

[His call] “I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse … Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.” [Her response] “I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?” [but later] I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.” — Song of Solomon 5:1-3, 6

Some see the Biblical “Song of Solomon” as nothing more than ancient poetry but within its pages there is an important lesson — no relationship remains static, it either grows or quietly wains.

Whether with Christ or each other, within a church or secular organization, relationships are quietly built or diminished with personal responsiveness or its lack.

Seth Godin, motivational speaker and blogger, puts it this way

“Most partnerships don’t end up in court.

Most friendships don’t end in a fight.

Most customers don’t leave in a huff.

Instead, when one party feels underappreciated, or perhaps taken advantage of, she stops showing up as often. Stops investing. Begins to move on …

Just because there are no firestorms on the porch doesn’t mean you’re doing okay. More likely, there are relationships out there that need more investment, quiet customers who are unhappy but not making a big deal out of it. They’re worth a lot more than the angry ones.” — Read Seth Godin’s complete post here

It takes alertness to the subtle change and a reaching out.

— fritz@langgang.com
See related post: “Jesus Passing By” – May 21, 2011

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“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” – Matthew 7:7 (KJV)

We naturally think this is Jesus’ directive for prayer. The context, however, is personal, human, relationships – specifically family; brothers, sons. Only then does Jesus indicate how much better the Father responds.

God wants our relationships to others conducted the same way as our relationship with Him; asking, seeking, knocking – not demanding, hunting, and pushing.

I am seeing how demanding obedience, insisting on my own way, and condemning non compliance is NOT the relationship God has with me or anyone else. Life and growth comes where and when there is respect, requests, and the freedom to say/receive “no” without condemnation.

– fritz

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