What is love? Love is fruitful.

What do I mean?

It means that it produces good results or “fruit.”

I see that so clearly with the love I respect.

I revere family relationships, friendships, and marriages that visibly make all parties involved the best versions of themselves.

Fruitful family relationships cultivate trust, kindness, generosity, growth, and patience.

Fruitful friendships form loyalty, strength, accountability, honesty, and respect.

Fruitful marriages yield deep friendships, joy, long-standing affection, support, and selflessness.

I remember a friendship from years ago that produced a lot of bad fruit in my life.

I’m talking envy, comparison, gossip, anger, and generally wild behavior.

I also felt like I could never be my “real” self.

I felt like I was just giving, giving, giving…

but there was no loyalty, strength, accountability, honesty, or respect that came from our friendship.

As much as I hoped it would change,

it never got to a place that produced good fruit.

I had to let that friendship go.

When family, friends, or spouses don’t produce these characteristics in our lives, that is a warning sign.

Sometimes we can’t choose the people we are surrounded by (family, teachers, co-workers).

But more often than not, we can.

So, those people who bring out the best in you?

Keep them closest.

Cheers,

Title image captured by Allison Stoddard Photography