A Relationship of Change

"It's nice to see how your family has changed," I recently told someone. "The boys are so grown up and respectful, your husband is now taking on new responsibilities, and you are more at peace. It's nice to see how your family is growing and changing. I think that is a sign of a healthy relationship."

We tend to look for people who are where we are or who accept us as we are. And many times we hope to stay that way. But if we are sincere about our progress, our journey, our mission in life, than we should expect something different. We should expect challenge. And most challenges change us.

Funny how we accept that in nature, growth is a sign of health and life. No one complains when the seed they planted becomes a flower. Or when the seeded lawn becomes grass. It only does that through sun, rain and nutrition.

It's the same for our spiritual life. We need growth, and our sun, rain and nutrition is healthy relationships. A friend or companion who is healthy for me will be the one whose honesty and trust enable me to accept challenges. I will have the courage to forge forward, and not allow fear to paralyze me. I will accept constructive criticism because I too will trust and express honest opinions. Such a relationship cannot but help to nurture the strongest roots.

If you look at your life and fail to see it changing, then it might be time to re-evaluate your relationships.