Yesterday, I talked a lot. I don't usually talk that much, especially about the things I think and how I process my experiences. But yesterday I talked to three different ladies about a lot of things.
So, of course, as soon as I was by myself, I began to question. Did I talk too much? Did I give too much information? Did I share too much negativity and hurt? Did I listen enough? Should I have asked more questions? Should I have helped the people I was talking to make the connections I was making in my head? Did I say things that are going to haunt me later or that I will have to come back and apologize for?
And yet it was really nice to have someone listen to me process a bunch of things.
As I have been analyzing the conversations, I have thought these things:
Charity is best relationship builder: thinking the best things about people, rather than assuming the worst.
I am not as charitable as I wish I was, or as I want to be.
I have a lot of hurt and frustration that tends to stay hidden under a false pretense of charity, but only when I am "joggled" do I have a chance to really show the love of Christ - forgiving those who have hurt me.
I am incredibly defensive when someone attacks a person I love. Even though I have felt like a mediator in many relationships, sometimes it is more like being caught in the middle. It is hard not to take a criticism of a person I love as a personal criticism.
Action matters, but it isn't alone. Motivation matters, but it isn't enough to "mean well." How it is perceived matters; I can mean well, perform an action, but if is is not perceived accurately, then miscommunication enters the picture. Charity has to reign through all those aspects. In my actions, in my motivations, and in my interpretations of what other people are doing, charity must have the final word.
What do I mean by Charity? The last two definitions on Dictionary.com summed it up perfectly: 6. leniency in judging others; forbearance. 7. Christian love; agape.
It all comes back to Love again.
Why a Bean Patch? It is a great place to tell stories, share insights, be crazy, face your fear of bugs, as well as pick beans.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Mid-Summer Night's Eve
My boys were asleep before 8:15. What manner of devilry is this?
Ah, its Mid-summer Nights Eve.
And they didn't have good naps. And they are fighting a cold.
But I am not complaining. And I'm not counting on it happening again anytime soon. Just enjoying it while it lasts.
Goodnight!
Ah, its Mid-summer Nights Eve.
And they didn't have good naps. And they are fighting a cold.
But I am not complaining. And I'm not counting on it happening again anytime soon. Just enjoying it while it lasts.
Goodnight!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Just a thought
After we lost our first baby, I remember crying one night after seeing a geek baby onsies. I wanted a little geek baby to put it on and to train in the ways of loving StarWars and super heroes, wondering at the oddities in God's world, and to find our unique sense of humor enjoyable.
I thought of it again tonight while my little boys where laughing in their superhero pajamas, asking to listen to Darth Vader music.
I got my geek babies. And I love them.
I thought of it again tonight while my little boys where laughing in their superhero pajamas, asking to listen to Darth Vader music.
I got my geek babies. And I love them.
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