Just Listen...

 Communication...do we really listen? 

I have spent so much time thinking about relationships this past year, since that has literally been the definition of our vocation for 2 decades.

    And, I feel this thought in the photo below sums up so much…

And I would also add--choices that say, "I choose US."

   Yes—we absolutely have to look out for our own spirit and mental health. But, relationships are also so much about the daily give-and-take that we allow one another.

  Our current society mindset has often become so completely focused on self-love, that we cannot bend to allow for the shortcomings of another in their bad days or seasons. 

   We all have bad days / seasons, where we are not our best selves, don’t we? And, we desperately need someone to commit to loving and helping us through our dark times. May we humbly remember …others need the same from us.

   We sometimes need to just…be quiet…and let the other person talk—even when we disagree with what they are saying. Letting someone’s concerns and voice be heard without retaliation or ‘fixing’ in the moment, can be so impactful—it communicates, “I care about knowing what you think.”

  For myself, I find it so often to be true...once I have had the chance to voice my concerns, I feel that, in a way, I have ‘set something down.’ I then can have the emotional freedom to agree-to-disagree on a matter, forgive someone in my heart, and move forward to continue a good relationship in the areas where we do agree. 

  Dan and I have almost 20 years of marriage together—but we do not claim to have all the answers, and we constantly pray for God to help us stay focused on Him and enjoy many more years together. ❤️

  **May we never assume we have the right to look at what we know of someone’s life or a broken relationship and decide we know why it happened—we don’t.

  Yes…, I do believe there are instances that require someone to walk away from a relationship.

     I have many brave friends who have had to take that step out alone—and I LOVE you; I am FOR you! ❤️🙏🏻 

     This thought has been a great reminder for me through the years, …to love through good and bad seasons, and never forget the importance of open, but not antagonistic, communication. Are we really a safe space for our loved ones to share? We say that—but... do they know our immediate return will be to correct or ‘fix them’ to our way of thinking? Isn't that so often how we listen?! Man...ouch...convicting thought. I pray for God to help me constantly work on communication in my relationships!