A Word from Grace about thinking before speaking ...

[2PhiloVoid]

...yes! That's right! I'm just mulling over one of Grace VanderWaal's songs and thinking, "Self, don't you feel like this sometimes? Maybe, a lot of the time? I wonder if other folks feel like I do? Short of empathy; short of insight; short on words?"

Do you ever feel like you wish you could rewind the last 10 minutes in a conversation and 'redo'? Sometimes, I do. So, maybe listen to Grace's song, here, and think about it. Or don't. Or think about what you're going to say to those who tell you that you need to think more about what you're going to say before you say it ...

Peace!

 

[bèlla]

There are moments when I chide myself from responding when silence was the best option. Or dismissing the matter altogether. I used to be good at both.

After a while I recognize the dichotomy and realize the truth behind the things we say and do. It comes down to love.

And the greater my care. The stronger my regard. The deeper my love for the other person. The better I’ll behave. The less likely I am to say the wrong thing. The more often I’ll stop untoward words and thoughts from creeping in my head.

If I loved them a little more I wouldn’t have regrets at all. I’d be better. Much better than I am.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

There are moments when I chide myself from responding when silence was the best option. Or dismissing the matter altogether. I used to be good at both.

Yes............................................................................*****.........................**

After a while I recognize the dichotomy and realize the truth behind the things we say and do. It comes down to love.

It does. (Notice, there's no question mark there.)

And the greater my care. The stronger my regard. The deeper my love for the other person. The better I’ll behave. The less likely I am to say the wrong thing. The more often I’ll stop untoward words and thoughts from creeping in my head.

That sounds wise, probably because it is.

If I loved them a little more I wouldn’t have regrets at all. I’d be better. Much better than I am.

Most definitely. Love is the only policy and is something that bears upon my mind and heart, too, Ms. LaBèlla, but sometimes in the mix of wanting to reach out to folks in this shifting culture wherein "affirmation" of every form calls out to us with A PRIORITY over anything else which any one Christian may see or value, such as the urgency of the Great Commission and all that which it entails on the whole, I'm left in a perpetual state of feeling what Grace VanderWaal says so well in her song above.

 

[bèlla]

That sounds wise, probably because it is.

Thank you for the compliment. I have a lot of work to do and I’m making time for some much needed housekeeping.

but sometimes in the mix of wanting to reach out to folks in this shifting culture wherein "affirmation" of every form calls out to us with A PRIORITY over anything else which any one Christian may see or value

Loving others has no effect on my work or faith. God prioritizes its display above all else and stated its absence nullifies all we do. Love is our greatest priority. Everything you do is made better when we love unselfishly.

I’m challenging myself to address the unpleasant parts. All the inconsistencies, fears, and stumbling blocks that are preventing me from being the woman God desires me to become.

I read these words a few minutes ago and thought of your comment and decided to share it:

When you love someone without expectation, it breaks his or her power to hurt you. The only reason we’re hurt is because we have expectations. —P.B. Wilson

If we operate in love with the lone goal of loving others. Their expectations and demands have little effect. But when we desire something in return or begrudgingly give ourselves to tasks we resent and would rather be elsewhere. We’ve moved our spirit from a place of love and grace.

God’s timekeeping is not like ours. He is able to restore the time we spend loving others and renew our spirit in the process. The greatest commission isn’t winning souls. Its being a beacon so bright that the hungry are drawn to your light desperately seeking its source. You will spread more seeds through love than you’ll ever plant. That’s disciple-making on steroids.

Open your hand and give liberally. There’s an endless supply. You needn’t fear you’ll run out or be drawn away from your mission. Be His reservoir of grace to those you meet and see what He does for them and you as well.

 

[Moral Orel]

I was moving into an apartment building where you needed to be "buzzed" in by a resident. I didn't have my keys yet, and I was at the front door with my mattress by myself. A woman who lived there was on her way out and held the door open for me even though we had never met. She said, "I trust you. A rapist wouldn't have a mattress like that". Now what I should have said was nothing. But what I actually said was, "You'd be surprised". - Mike Birbiglia (loosely paraphrased)

 

[Noxot]

The worst is when God approves of your bad method and then later you realize he just wanted you to see how terrible you were acting.

It takes two to tango. Wisdom and love is the androgynous image of God. Need both to function properly.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I was moving into an apartment building where you needed to be "buzzed" in by a resident. I didn't have my keys yet, and I was at the front door with my mattress by myself. A woman who lived there was on her way out and held the door open for me even though we had never met. She said, "I trust you. A rapist wouldn't have a mattress like that". Now what I should have said was nothing. But what I actually said was, "You'd be surprised". - Mike Birbiglia (loosely paraphrased)

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[2PhiloVoid]

The worst is when God approves of your bad method and then later you realize he just wanted you to see how terrible you were acting.

It takes two to tango. Wisdom and love is the androgynous image of God. Need both to function properly.

Yes, there is always that possibility, isn't there? Good point.