Yeah, I know. I've really been slacking on this blogging thing. I'm not making excuses, but the weather has been phenomenal this past week, therefore the pool has been calling my name. It tends to scream my name actually, so I can't really escape without making a scene. I'm not one to make a scene, so yes, I cave and go to the pool. It's a good thing I don't have much down time, right? That means I'm staying busy! Which is ultimately a good thing. Especially being so far from home.
On to the week... Dr. Steve and Twyla and Lee co-taught us this week on the subject matter of communication and conflict resolution. So if you are in need of a lesson on either of these two, holler because I have pages of notes and a week of knowledge on it! This week we read two books, one on encouragement, and one called The DNA Of Relationships. Both of which were very insightful for the class discussions.
We were created to be in relationship with others. "Communication is to relationships what blood is to the body". There are different levels of communication that increase risk and vulnerability as you move farther into them. We did a lot this past week with the listening aspect of communication, because listening is for the sake of connecting and responding. There are many responses to listening that we learned both positive and negative, and the best tool to help people know they are being listened to is paraphrasing.
There are many biblical principles of communication that we addressed as well including things such as thinking before you speak, speaking the truth in love, not criticizing, ignoring insults, speaking gently, and listening.
When it comes to conflict, it's not always about resolving them, it's about managing them. Conflict is rooted in wanting something, but not getting it. The biblical model for conflict that we talked about starts with being honest, keeping it under control, making sure that the timing is right, keeping it positive, and exercising kindness and forgiveness. The very last day of class this week, we touched briefly on forgiveness. Which I absolutely loved. I tend to be quick to forgive and move on, whereas I know this really is a struggle for others. "...Forgiveness doesn't change the past, but enlarges the future..." Luckily in the chart of forgiveness that we talked about, God's grace and healing covers the whole thing.
Overall this past week of class was great just to learn these things to make myself a better woman in Christ and possible wife and mother some day in these specific areas. I'm excited for the times in the future when I will be able to put to practice what I have learned. Thanks for the prayers and encouragement!
miss you Jilly!
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