Ever had a miscommunication? Or, as my Mama always says, ever get your “wires crossed?” That’s the topic of this week’s table talker, and we’d love to hear your stories because they will make us feel a little less crazy…. So please share!
Here are some of my own that come to mind:
1. When backing the boat trailer down the ramp into the water per my husband’s verbal direction: Turn left. NO, the other left! (Scrape.)
2. When telling my father that the three-year-old I’m leaving in his charge will need a little help going to the bathroom if the need arises: When you said help, I didn’t realize you meant that!
3. When my five-year-old son said to me as we drove to the beach for a picnic two weeks ago: Mama, you and me really ought to get married one of these days. To which I responded after explaining how flattered I was by his proposal, but that I was already married to Daddy: One day you are going to fall in love with a wonderful, wonderful woman. To which he responded: Fall? Does it hurt?
Crossed wires are the stuff good stories are made of. Shakespeare, for one, was a big fan of them. And even in this age of instant communication, wires get crossed and so does the tone and intent of particular messages, emails, tweets, texts and status updates.
Just a few weeks ago I felt for a friend who posted as her status: “Sometimes when checking FB on my phone, I click likeby accident. For those of you who have scolded me for liking something you found offensive, please remember who I am and trust that I wouldn’t have chosen to like that on my own volition. You know my heart.”
Ouch. We jump to conclusions about others so quickly, don’t we? I know I am terribly guilty of this especially when I am feeling isolated and fearful. I have learned the hard way – recently – how damaging this can be.
Now whenever I feel upset about what may or may not have been a miscommunication, I try to get a hold of my imagination and temper and go back to that awe-inspiring road map of how to love in 1 Corinthians 13 where it reminds us, “[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
If only I expected the best in everyone all of the time, how much peace I would have? How few wires would be crossed? How minimal the offenses? How thick my skin would be? How much love would fill my heart?
That’s my prayer today, and if I can get there, the only crossed wires I’ll have to write about are the hilarious ones… like those in Shellie Tomlinson’s book, Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat…
Expect the best in everyone, y’all!
Much Love,
Beth Webb
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