I’ve mentioned a few times this past year, this space has been a bit quiet. I’ve missed here but needed to work through or around a few things before I could be present here again, um can we say Melanoma? Now, that doesn’t mean I’ve worked through or around all the things, like the death of my beloved grandma. What it does mean is that I’m making a choice and kind of defiantly drawing a line in the sand at the same time. And I think a Friday Introductions is a great way to get started.
I’m tired of being interrupted from a goal, a mission, and purpose I believe…NO, I KNOW is from God. I’ve spent the last year with an “opposition vision” instead of an “opportunity vision.” (I just made that up by the way but I’m pretty sure ya’ll know exactly what I’m talking about!
Friday Introductions
What better way to make dip my toes back into the waters here among friends than to reintroduce myself or play a quick round of “Getting to Know Me.” There’s a fun little Friday thing that happens over on Instagram, which I’m pretty active on by the way. Anyway, this Friday thing is called Friday Introductions and it can take many different forms and ideas. Right now there’s a big one going on where people are sharing their “How We Met” story for Friday Introductions.
Maybe you’ll understand (or not) where I’ve been struggling, where I’m coming from, and some of the areas I’ve needed clarity, discernment, definition, and some serious God work–I’ve needed some growth. This God work has definitely taken place deep-diving into the scriptures. But, it’s also taken place in some quick scripture snacks or reading the Word on the go; there’s a place for both friends.
Let’s talk about this for just a second. Do not, for one second believe that if you cannot sit down in a cozy chair by a roaring fire or overlooking a rolling surf with a cucumber melon candle (I prefer essential oils, they’re safer) and a matchy–matchy pen, journal, and Bible cover that you can’t read the scriptures! That is an absolute lie that originates in the depths of hell. The enemy wants to keep you from reading the Word. The enemy wants to keep you away from the Word.
Whew! That was a pretty big soapbox I just jumped up on! Let’s get back to my Friday Introductions, shall we?
I love words–big words, little words, hard words, and easy words. I definitely prefer and use the little, easy ones though. Life is hard enough without making it harder just to use some big, fancy words.
Because words are so important to me, connection and conversation can be hard–in real life and online and I want to share my thoughts below on both.
I love having intimate conversations about the ways God is working in someone’s life. I saw this explanation of intimate the other day that I love!
“intimate” = in to me
When we share intimate conversations, we’re allowing someone to look into us and vice versa. And when we share the intimacies of God in those conversations…WOW! Consider that for a minute.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “The devil fishes in troubled water”? One of the greatest tricks and ploys of the enemy is misunderstanding and miscommunication. Makes sense huh?
I hate being interrupted. I’m a deep thinker and I have to get out of my head and heart to be able to process. I am seriously enough of an interruption to my own self without someone or something else interrupting me. I have to talk to see and understand life–mine and others.
When I can get outside of myself to process, I’m better able to be available to and for others. It’s almost like I have to get myself out of the way to make room for them.
I can’t accurately describe what it feels like to begin processing things verbally and then be interrupted. I can tell you, it’s actually painful.
Let’a try this, think of finally getting started on a much-anticipated road trip, you’ve merged onto the highway and gotten up to speed…WHAM! You suddenly have to slam on the brakes, come to a complete stop, AND turn around. That’s a pretty accurate description of what an interruption feels like to me.
I know, I know…funny huh, since I’m a momma of seven. My entire life is spent in and for the interruption. Except for when I intentionally set aside time to process, uninterrupted.
I love trying to understand people, places, things, situations. One of my favorite prayers is asking God to help me see things clearly and/or to see things as He sees them–myself included. Let me tell you, this is not always a nice, comfortable prayer.
The flip side to this, I hate being misunderstood. It hurts in such a deep way…it’s another one of those things I can’t accurately explain but it literally hurts. And part of the pain of being misunderstood is that we’re never misunderstood for the better. A misunderstanding usually involves assuming the worst about someone, not the best. Now that hurts.
If I feel misunderstood, more often than not I’ll quickly withdraw–physically and emotionally. The pain is almost more than I bear and rather than fight my way through to understanding, I’ll leave you alone with your misunderstanding. Part of this is because I cry easily and trying to explain and defend myself turns the tears on in force.
The same goes for frustration. If I sense someone is frustrated with me, I’ll retreat. I get frustrated with myself easily and often enough; trust me, I know what it feels like to be frustrated with me.
Here’s the thing friends, these love/hate points make me who I am…right now.
But, I’m always striving to be more like Jesus and overcome those parts of myself that are less like Him while continuing to strengthen the few areas where I just might slightly resemble Him.
Now, I would love for you to share a little snippet of a Friday Introductions about you in the comments.
Liz Patee says
Please know that I didn’t interrupt as I was reading. I know how it feels to be interrupted when you’re sharing what’s on your heart… 🙁 I tend to withdraw into myself, just shut down and stop talking, when I sense I’m misunderstood or not being listened to – I don’t like that I react that way. Funny that I had that very experience with someone after I read this – to the point that I’m still chewing on it in my head and thinking that the person missed out on an opportunity to go deeper. Oh well…
My joy is in the knowing that my Heavenly Father loves to hear what I have to say, He loves when I share my heart, whether it’s big or little, important or not.
My prayer is that our Heavenly Father bring those around us that will listen to our hearts unconditionally, and let us verbally process in our time, and love us for who we are and how He made us. Thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Jenny says
Ohhh, yes! God loves to hear from us…without interrupting. I have the habit of interrupting sometimes bc my brain moves so quickly if I don’t say it, I lose it.
Michelle says
Hm, okay. Here goes. I interrupt people a lot. Haha, funny, but seriously not funny. It hurts those who are expressing themselves, and I won’t learn much if I’m not willing to listen.
Jenny says
I’m guilty of interrupting too, but not during intimate conversations, if anything I pause for too long as I’m processing the conversation.
Jenny says
Michelle, I sometimes interrupt bc my brain moves too quickly and if I don’t say it, I lose it…which might not always be a bad thing huh?