Monday; November 20

When I was growing up we questioned “Preacher’s Stories” wondering if they were merely “parables” created to make a point.  Today’s version of preacher stories might be “Things Overheard In Walmart”.  I don’t know if it is true, but the other day I heard a story that I thought was pretty good.  A lady was looking at frozen turkeys but couldn't find one big enough.   She asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?".  He replied with a straight face, "No ma'am, they're dead."  While there is an entertainment value in the superficial sharing of this story, there is something even deeper.  If examined independently, each part of this exchange is valid, but when they are combined in a single encounter, that’s where things get interesting.  Each person was precise in their individual point, the problem presented itself when it came time to interpret the other’s message.  This story reminded me a reality of communication:  there are three sides to all conversations – my side, your side and the objective truth.
For a society that tends to talk a lot, we seem to miss the point way too often.  Sometimes we fail to express ourselves effectively, sometimes we don’t listen closely and, still, other times, we just seem to be out of synch.  Maybe this is the reason Paul warned his young minister friend, Timothy, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” (II Timothy 2:24-26)
Let’s listen to learn to each other with the intent of encouraging one another.  When we do that, even if our communication suffers our relationship with endure.  
          Think About It!

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