“Love….thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:6, 7

Written Words Aren’t Everything, I Guess….

I had much anticipated my first day sans-kiddos since school started back up “in person” recently after being home consecutively since March. You can imagine, when my mom texted me asking how my day had gone, I had much to say to express myself! Although, because I fell victim to perception of words without talking to my mom, the outcome was much different than I had hoped.

Text exchange and perspectives:

Mom: How did your day go?

Me: Awesome and amazing. Peaceful. Quiet. Did I say amazing? Wonderful?  A kiss from God.  

Me (after not hearing a response back from Mom): Missed them, but a much welcome change of pace.

Mom: I guess

Me (again after not receiving any follow up texts from Mom): I don’t mean to sound overly sarcastic, but seriously it has been a stressful experience these last six months and it was nice to have something normal.

My perception and thoughts: “I guess! I GUESS???” I heard, “I guess” with a low downward dip in tone. Oh man, she is obviously disappointed that I was seeming so happy for them to go back to school. She must wish I would do as she did and teach all four of my kids at home! Well, I guess I shouldn’t have seemed SO excited to have some peace and quiet. (Guilt sets in.) She is probably right, I really need to appreciate my children more.

Mom’s intention and perspective: When she said “I guess,” (by text – sooooo vague and open to interpretation of receiver!), she really meant, “I guess!!!” (with a dip upward in tone) as in “Wow, I guess! I bet you DID feel all those ways being that they were home with you and each other since March!”

It wasn’t until the next day when we talked by phone that this whole mind-mess got straightened out. I had it in my mind that Mom was disappointed with me and I found myself disgruntled and having feelings of resentment towards her. When our text exchange came up in conversation I embarrassingly discovered the reality of her perspective. First, I learned that she turns her phone off early in the evening, so she didn’t even see my other texts until the next day. AND she in no way was un-enthused with my reaction to the kids returning to school!

I was convicted to apologize to my mom for jumping to conclusions to how she felt towards me and letting it affect my reaction towards her.

The Word tells us that one aspect of loving others is to think NO evil, but instead good towards people, to not rejoice in iniquity, but to rejoice in truth! My desire is that next time, I will believe the best in people and not make assumptions based on my own insecurities or judgments.

Jesus, I know You are interceding for each of us each moment of our walk with the Father. Thank You for loving us and being the one true example of love. I pray that each of us will be encouraged to first look for the truth in love and not rejoice in evil. Thank You for Your living Word that is a beautiful gift to guide us through each day in all things!