On the 1st day of October, I was able to finish reading Seasons of Intentional Relationships: It's Not Good To Be Alone by my sis Kim Sharkey. By reading the book, I was able to learn more about relationships and the different seasons(changes) we go through in a more in depth, colorful way through scripture, poetry, and Kim's experiences. I love how Kim uses the various elements of the four seasons as analogies for what she's explaining with each season of relationships. For example, Winter deals with Family(Root System), Spring is Friendship (Catch the Fever), Summer is Platonic Relationships (Hot Pursuits), and Fall is Marriage (Fall Back). As I read each unit, my mind was captured by the transparency that Kim shared with each of the experiences from her life and relationships. I was able to relate to her insight with family, friendship, and platonic relationships, areas I had the most difficult experiences in. I have no experience in the area of marriage, but I do have a new understanding of what marriage means according to scripture and the many phases of marriage(growing individually and collectively). I'm surprised I didn't cry when Kim spoke of family. Some of the thoughts and questions she had as a child, I could relate to as well. Interestingly, the four seasons have different elements, colors, temperatures, and that is what Kim captures for each relationship. For instance, Winter is a cold season where we as people like to be warm and cozy. We tend to look at families like that, sometimes cold or warm and cozy. Next, we have Spring, a beautiful season where the trees change, flowers bloom, and there are lots of rain, hurricanes and tornadoes, kind of like the changes friendships go through. Then, there's summer, the season where the weather is scorching hot, the beaches are enticing, and everyone is in vacation mode (chilled and relaxed), similar to the pursuit of platonic relationships. Finally, we meet Autumn or Fall, where the weather becomes cooler, the leaves change back to the warm colors of the season, falling to the ground, similar to the different phases of marriages (each individual is changing, dying to oneself, and growing). I loved the imagery as I read. After reading, I have a new understanding of what each relationship means. I admit, I still struggle with understanding family relationships and I'm learning to open myself to friendship and platonic relationships. I've learned that the keys to having healthy relationships is knowing who one is in Christ, prayer, communication, understanding, boundaries, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Just like precious flowers in a garden, our relationships are precious. We have to tend to them and nurture them. I encourage you all to read Kim's book. It will challenge you and help you to evaluate where you are in your relationships. Happy reading! #BN10tional #KIMunity #SeasonsOfIntentionalRelationships#KimberlySharkey
