From The Middle Of A Soybean Field

Mindless musings to pass the time while staring at lots of soy...

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Right Thoughts About Relationships Part II

I am missing a friend's wedding because I have to be working in the soybean fields. Thinking about the two of them along with other couples I know and how they compliment each other has left me posing some questions. "Self, what is the value of being in a relationship?" In other words, why bother? The people who are the closest to you have the greatest ability to hurt you and you them. I look at the relationships in my family and the majority of them are full of fighting, hurt, infidelity, guilt, and dishonesty. Kids are hurting their parents, spouses hurt each other and, brothers hurt their sisters. I am left with two reasons for why we put ourselves through this. The first is procreation. The second is that our relationships are our best opportunities to show Christ in our lives. We reflect Christ when we love, support, encourage, and forgive each other. I have been challenged with that point lately. What image of Christ do I project in my relationships?

The question I pose to anyone reading this: When do you decide that a relationship is unhealthy and decide to distance yourself from it? When is it too much? Is it ever?

posted by Ofelia @ 10:24 PM  

3 Comments:

  • At 7/13/2006 10:01 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I think there are other reasons to be in a relationship. For example, you can build each other up in ways that it is difficult or impossible to build yourself up.

    Of course, we all wish you were out here in the sun with us.

    -DC

     

  • At 7/13/2006 6:02 PM, Blogger Ofelia said…

    I wish I was there as well. I had to work in the field and I have some nice pink spots as my reward. I am so very happy for you!

     

  • At 7/17/2006 4:39 PM, Blogger Ramona said…

    i think that marriage also allows you to become more like Christ, not just to show Christ. i think that Christ has used our marriage to reveal the depths of our sin more than any other human relationship we have. it's because of the depth of our intimacy on all levels in which we have the most love and joy and yet also the most hurt. but the times of brokeness and hurt has been so refining, and it has allowed us to love one another more deeply and to be more like Christ--in those moments we have chosen to forgive, to ask for forgiveness, to confess sin, to repent, to humble ourselves, and to love.

    i think it can be hard to figure out when a relationship is unhealthy. the first word that comes into my mind is dependence. if the individuals in the relationships consistently rely on each other more than God, i think that the relationship maybe unhealthy because the relationship may becoming an idol. that's just my thought.

     

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