By QuaWanna Bannarbie

I am calling this “The Yield Series.” I hope that this series is influencing readers to assess their personal investments as much as it has been causing me to do the same. I pray you are learning something about yourself as I share this topic of three powerful means of personal investment that yield growth: educational, relational and spiritual.

This week, I am discussing investments in relationships that yield growth.

A friend recently asked me, “What are you doing to replenish your own wealth?” My answer to her question was “I spend time in God’s word and I pray every day.” She quickly snapped at me saying, “No, no, no, I am asking how are you replenishing the you that you are? How are you keeping alive that draw that makes everyone love you?” This is my big sister talking. We have been friends since we were college girls. She is always the one that hits me with a gut check when I need it. She went on to describe that there are things that I have to do in order to keep my well from running dry. She was talking about the well of my soul.

The Bible says in Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Proper soul care helps keep us breathing. Believe it or not, there are certain healthy relationships you need in your life to replenish you, or you will cease to breathe.

We need certain people in our lives that help us grow. Why is it that we limit personal improvements and development to our education, physical and spiritual activities? After we get grown (as the grown folks would say), we stop investing in relationships that advance our personal development. We think we do not need others.

It is a lie that I am tired of hearing. Everyone needs a community. You need mentors, family, friends, sponsors, disciples and even haters. Haters served a purpose in the life of Jesus. Your community is not exempt.

We need to invest in healthy relationships with the people within our community. You do that by recognizing them, communicating as needed and holding them accountable for the position they hold in your life.

Another healthy relationship we need for soul care is a great relationship with nature. When was the last time you just walked barefoot outside in the green grass or, better yet, took a nap in the grass? I love gardening, because having my hands in the soil and touching plants is life-giving activity to me. Gardening is such a yielding process, even if your harvest is not that large. When you give to the earth, the earth gives something back to you. Nature gives us food for replenishment. How we treat the natural environment that we live in is important to our personal development.

Lastly, we must have a healthy relationship with ourselves. I saved it for last, but it is primarily essential. I fundamentally believe that you cannot truly love yourself without first knowing the love of God. I do not believe the term “self-love” is appropriate because you should never put self in front of love because God is love (1 John 4:7-21). True loving of self begins with receiving the love of God, which secures our identity. I know who I am because the I Am says I am His.

I could go on and on about relationships. While personally investing in relationships can be taxing on so many levels, I definitely think it is worth it. I also think God made us for such personal investment. Ask God to show you who you need in your life for replenishment and enrichment. When God shows you, apply that knowledge and invest in your relationships. All it takes is letting people know that they are an important part of your life and treating them that way. That goes for treating yourself that way also!

QuaWanna Bannarbie is an adjunct professor of Nonprofit Leadership and Management with Indiana Wesleyan University, National and Global. Her children attend Suffolk Public Schools. Connect with her via Twitter @QNikki_Notes.