Allow Time

05May
 
 
“What’s wrong?” I asked, and the answer was, “Nothing!” “I know something is wrong.” I pressed, “Why won’t you tell me?” I was convinced that when something bothers us sufficiently for someone else to notice, that we must know what is wrong. Enter an awkward communication moment and some unnecessary tension.
 
Shortly after the encounter just described, someone asked me if something was bothering me. I said, “No. I don’t think so.” My tentative answer came as the parallels between the conversation described in the last paragraph and the current one dawned on me. I thought, “I obviously appear to be bothered by something. But I don’t know what.” I thought for a bit and was completely surprised to realize that I was indeed feeling “off,” but again, I had no idea why!
 
That realization gave me a quantum leap forward in communication skills. I thought, remorsefully, about the many times that I had pressured people to explain something of which they were not fully conscious. Now, I teach and try to practice, though imperfectly, the fine art of allowing others time to think through their issues.
 
When I ask, “Is everything OK?” I try to remember to allow that they may not be at all aware that they are presenting as if something is wrong. I also remind myself that people often need to be allowed time to recognize, organize, and communicate the issues impacting their expressions. It is a simple application of the Golden Rule. (Matthew 7:12)
 
 

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Posted by Ron Lawler

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was a teen. A friend had invited me to attend church to help out in a Sunday School attendance drive. At the end of the worship service I asked the Pastor how I could know for sure I would go to Heaven. He had someone show me from the Scriptures how to receive Christ and from that day to this, I have had an assurance of Christ as my Savior and Heaven as my eternal home.

Within a few weeks I sensed a building desire to enter into full time ministry. My church observed me and confirmed the call. Upon graduation from High School, I enrolled in Bible College and I have been in ministry ever since. I was ordained to the ministry by my home church in Texas in 1974. It has been my privilege to be Pastor of Preaching and Teaching at Family Bible since 2005.

Cheryl and I were married in 1973. God has blessed us with two children, Rachel and David, and four grandsons.

Favorite part of ministry? - Researching and discussing questions about the Bible.

Favorite verse? - "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

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