do beautiful things for beautiful people
I've been thinking recently about what makes my relationships with others unique and prosperous. Here are a few incomplete thoughts:
I. A prosperous friendship is reciprocal.
It doesn't have to be an instantaneous exchange, but rather developed and founded on a value of trust.
Out of love and respect, I want to do something for you. I don't expect something in return from you in the moment, but when it's possible for the other person to reciprocate such, I trust they will.
II. A prosperous friendship values the beauty found in each other.
Psalm 139:14, attributed to King David, is an excellent reminder of this.
- I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14 - ESV
Two words are used here to describe how the Lord has created us: "fearfully" and "wonderfully." I think mentioning the greek displays the magnitude of their importance.
- (Yare): Fearfully – profound respect, awe, and honor.
- (Pele): Wonderfully – wonder, marvel, miracle, extraordinary or beyond human comprehension.
If God created everyone in my life with these characteristics, it's only correct to treat them in the same manner.
My friends are created with awe and honor. Their character and traits are extraordinary and marvelous in the eyes of God.
Incorporating the concept of reciprocality into this, a prosperous friendship values each other in such a way.