Relationships Take Time

I read this and thought you might appreciate it.

 

Some days I think we all have inherited a double dose of impatience. That could explain why so many of us despise shopping, standing in line, waiting in line and mutter when the driver in front of us balks at turning right on red. More than once, you know, we say about each other or sometimes to each other: "Sometimes I just don't understand you at all!" Well, NEWS FLASH, we're not that easy to figure out, either. 

There's so much more we need to learn about growing in relationships. And it takes time.

 

But why is that so exasperating? My guess is it's part of human nature. A congenital hurry-bone of contention inherited from Adam and Eve who started the whole business by eating an apple guaranteed to give them instant knowledge.

 

When we live by the false "faster is better" creed, we lose sight of the contrasting truth: Relationships take lots of time to develop and nurture. They demand long hours and years and even decades of work....and don't forget the money too!

 

But when you stop to consider the alternative, it's clear that relationships are worth the time. Why hurry to give up on trying when you can take your time and nurture a deep commitmment with someone else for the rest of your life?

 

Relationship Builders:

• Have you ever felt that your relationships should be better faster?
• Why is it so hard to be patient as relationships develop?

Communication

How many non-verbal conversations do you have in your head?

Statistics show that our nonverbal communication accounts for 58% of the total message. Our tone of voice - the way we say things - makes up 35% of the message. The actual words that we do say account for only 7% of the total message. WOW! Now, think about the ways you, and the people around you communicate without using words. Think about what your nonverbal actions ACTUALLY mean....then, consider how that action is perceived. Is the perception accurate to what you were thinking or is the receiver completely off! Now, think about those results. Isn't is just safer to say what you really want to say? If your nonverbal communication is not safe to communicate, then you need to deal with that..and then re-visit the conversation. On the other hand, if it is safe to say what you are thinking mentally, then you need to just come out and say it. Either way, if you keep it inside, you will be mis-heard or un-heard. Nonverbal Actions vs What Those Actions Mean - 2 very different things..

Psalms 139:23

Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.