Nurture. | A Weekly Word 2022

Things grow when we nurture them. Relationships are no different, they flourish and are fruitful when tended to and nourished. Our most important relationship, that with our Creator, gives us insight into how to nurture our relationships with ourselves and with others. The same key tenets can be applied; and as with many aspects of the healing journey, nurturing begins with love. 

Love

With God, our love is illustrated through adoration and worship. Not just for what God has done, but for who God is. Using this as a blueprint for our relationships with ourselves and others, we should practice loving without conditions or qualifiers. We should show up with empathy and compassion in every season – loving ourselves and others simply just for being. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times.”

Listen

Whether through scripture, prayer, messengers, or even visions and dreams, hearing from God first requires our attention. It calls for us to dedicate quiet time, be free from distraction, open and reflective. Likewise, we should listen to understand one another, rather than to respond to one another. Dedicate quiet time with yourself or those whom you love – be free from distraction, open and reflective. Proverbs 18:13 reminds us that, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his foolishness and shame.”

Learn

In order to grow deeper in relationship with God, we are to study His Word. This helps us to draw nearer to Him through understanding, but it also helps to clarify our gifts and inform how we serve Him. Just like we study God, we should make time to learn and unpack our own experiences, inclinations, and proclivities in order to better understand how to best serve ourselves and others. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.”

Live Out

Once we understand our gifts, and have processed our lived experiences and the stories of others, we can further develop our relationships through our actions. Growing and nurturing our relationships through what we do and how we live. Luke 6:13 says, “As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Passage

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Prayer

God, thank you for the ability to nurture healthy relationships. Thank you for your example of pure and unadulterated love. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to better serve ourselves and others through understanding. Help me to have ears to hear, and a heart to understand. Help me to use my gifts to provide encouragement and edification to those around me. Allow me to also be nurtured and nourished by my loved ones as I continue to heal and grow. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Practice

This week, I will practice listening with the intent to understand. I will commit to being open and reflective.