Straight to the Point

I find that I am blunt about many things. I think my family and friends would agree. The word ‘non-confrontational’ has been bantered about in the family but not in the same sentence with my name. There are times I’ve been told I’m being judgmental, and yes, I do admit to sounding that way on occasion but not by intent. My words are straight to the point. In a heated discussion with the people I love, my tact has a way of going out the window. Working on that one!

 ‘To put it bluntly‘ and ‘If you really want to know what I think…’ pepper my conversations frequently with my family and those words do slip into what appears, on the surface, to be a casual conversation with a friend. In other words: if you ask for my opinion- be prepared. (I knew there was good use for that Girl Scout motto!)

 

I think that “beating around the bush” or ignoring the “elephant in the room” are time wasters and results in dancing in the dark –which leads to stumbling and stepping on toes.  I know I am quick to try to get folks to recognize the elephant’s presence and for them to admit he’s got on a pink tutu and has a green Mohawk; not to mention the camo boots he’s wearing at the bottom of those tree trunks we call his legs.   I think persuasive is what that’s called.  Ok, pushy then. Working on that one, too!

 

Some would point out to me that scripture says to remove the log from your own eye before you try to remove the splinter in another’s eye.  And sometimes they are right; but only sometimes.  Straight from my heart, I think The Word is also pretty clear about removing the hindrances in our lives and pressing on.  Yes, friends, it means I’m –wait for it- don’t rush it;

 I-AM-A-FIXER

 I’m a nurse, a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, a grandmother and a friend; what were you expecting?     

I am a trained, dyed in the wool, have years of practice fixer, yessiree!  I fix things. 

Scraped knees and cut fingers are the most frequent things on the list. But an issue that needs to be fixed, a solution that needs to be found, a different way of doing something, seeing things from another perspective, I gravitate to those challenges. Not because I’m a know it all, but because I want to understand and make things better.

 

Being a fixer means two things to me.

First, I speak the truth when you ask me a question about something that’s on your mind. (people who know me know that I’m going to tell them exactly what I think). I do take this seriously and earnestly want to help when asked. 

And second, it means that I realize that I’m not really The Fixer here. My job is to point whoever is asking to the Living Word.  

 

If you find that you need a human face to talk with about that elephant…I’d be honored with your trust.

I am truly honored when someone wants to talk over an issue with me, I pray I will speak with love and encouragement and re-direction to the One who has the answers. There’s comfort in a conversation with Him that we can find in no one else.  He knows and understands on a level that is far beyond human understanding; and in His love for you, His comfort will get you through anything.

 

Something to think about:

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

 

For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs2:6

 

Praise be to the Lord, our God and Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68: 19

 

Come unto me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30

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