The Struggle to Maintain Relationships

What does the word maintain mean to you?  I was reading Kate’s post this morning about how she’s struggling to maintain something important in her life.  I got to thinking about how sometimes the struggle to maintain relationships is very real. 

The Struggle to Maintain Relationships

Throughout my years I’ve been
blessed with the “Tinholt” gene.
I love being part of my extended
family but I have to admit the
social stuff is SO not our forte.

Figuring what and how to do stuff when
it comes to dealing with people,
I am not surprised when, like
many in my extended family we
don’t accept bossing well and love
to work along or with limited numbers
of people around us.

Figuring out the ins and outs of
social convention often causing no
end of issues.
but yet, we all find that friendships
are extremely important to us.
That necessity of community is vital.

So being how I am, how does one deal with
the struggle to maintain relationships?
There are many things to consider I
suppose. Time, energy, focus,
understanding, and what not.

My methodology

I love the personal one on one
connection between people. Add another
one or two to the mix and often I’ll
find myself lost. So finding the time
to do a quick tea break, or stop in
for a quick hello and touch base.
It’s so important to have the just
me and you time.

Writing letters and making phone calls
to those who are farther off, takes
time and energy to when at night
I so often just want to chill out
and just do nothing. 🙂

Joining with others in a bible
study set up, building new relationships
as I continue to forge relationship with
God who is above all,
and yet, that relationship, sometimes
seems the hardest to foster.

Taking the time to invite
others along on a quick shopping trip
or a drive out in the country.
Spending a day out with hubby, and
trying to figure out a way to
have fun with my boy once in a while.

I cant say I’ve got it all figured out
and I will not say its very easy
because indeed it is not.
But I suppose the fact that the
effort is regularly being made
is important no?

How does one maintain relationships
when so much of what people do
and say in their interactions with me
and others is often so very confusing?

One just keeps trying right?
One just keeps trying.

Looking to the Word of God

Philippians 2:1-11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

 ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 12:9-13

⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.