Have you ever been challenged like I have when we consider how to relate with people that are not treating us the way we expect to be treated? Particularly when these are meant to be our pals? In my opinion, to build a meaningful relationship, we need to pay attention to the principles.

“Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!” Luke 6:31 MSG

As I relate with people, this is a scripture that resonates ever so often. If I am messing around, someone should call me to order. If I consider myself to be someone’s friend, I’ve got to watch their back. I need to look out for them. If someone entrusts me with anything, may they never have cause to regret that decision…hey if you entrust with the hope that I would back you to do evil, you jones be that o…BUT I will tell you my position upfront rather than mislead you, because that is what I would expect of you.

So if someone treats me nicely, it means she expects to be treated nicely. If someone cheats me, it means he expects to be cheated. Does it mean that I am meant to treat her nicely in return or cheat him just the way he cheats???

…NO! We are not called to treat people the way they treat us or the way they treat others. We are to treat them the way we expect to be treated!

So I feel uncomfortable when I hear…if she treats you as an option don’t treat her as a priority…meanwhile your desire is that you be treated as a priority. When we tow this line, it means that rather than sow our seed so we could harvest in due course, we are attempting to harvest for others…which is not our calling. Let us remember that we don’t give the increase…we only sow and water.

Let’s ponder on this as we strive to build meaningful relationships.