02-04-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 4, 2024
In my Etching yesterday, I talked about the importance of listening with the hope of finding understanding and appreciation. I recently had a great learning experience, all because I asked someone how I was perceived in a specific situation. Of course, that can be a bit of a risk, as sometimes we don’t really want to hear the truth. In such moments, our listening can move into a more defensive posture. In this case, the person spoke honestly, and my first thought upon receiving some critical feedback was, "Hmmm..." But as I thought more about what was said, I could see how my style of storytelling did not fit the moment. I was being asked some specific questions, and because I think in terms of story, I often answer through the lens of story. Of course, when people want you to draw conclusions or to be very specific in your answer, telling a story can miss the point entirely. I am going to have to sit on that one for a while, and even though that may not have been the only reason for my failure to communicate, I do believe there is some learning for me. The style of communication needs to match the moment, and I wonder how often I really think about how a different style would be more useful in one situation as compared to another. For a person who sort of makes their living through communication, I believe there is a good takeaway here.

Even when my ego might be feeling a bit bruised, Gracious God, I pray for the capacity to listen and learn. Sometimes feedback is not really feedback but is intended to hurt or degrade. But there are those other moments when someone speaks truth with love, from which I can draw some needed pieces of information about myself. Maybe it is even a word from you, God. Give me the ears to hear. Amen.