Fox news always refers to "fair and balanced." Maybe I need to be too - "fair and balance." "Fair and balanced" about reporting my relationships.
In my my last posting I described how important relationships are and that they should take precedence over profession. The picture, for that post, displays warm and close relationships, as they are. But to be perfectly honest, not all of my relationships are that way.
When I was first elected to this position I traveled to the West Coast where I met a man whose first words were - "I never liked you!" Since that time I have met others with the same opinion. Some arrived at it immediately, other took some time getting there. One church board wrote me a three page letter telling me what they thought of me, they would later apologize (because I was right), but it was still a pretty strong, in-your-face, letter. This past week, I got a letter accusing me of allowing violent behavior to be taught to our young people. The "King James Only" people really don't care for me, and I have been told I'm "religious, uncaring, misguided, of the Devil," and several other things. You get the picture.
My wife - I'd better let her speak for herself on this issue. But I'm sure I can be a pain at home. My kids, well, they are more-or-less forced to like me because of the Bible, the "honor" part. However, I'm sure I've grated on them as well, probably a lot. My grand kids - they love me, a lot! But, they're pretty young and don't have much to compare me with. For the time being, they think I'm alright.
In my experience, some contentious relationships have been overcome and friendships have ensued. Other relationships started out difficult and remained that way. A few relationships started out well but deteriorated over time, and remain elusive.
Usually, I work at establishing, or preserving, relationships. More times than not, I'm successful. Then there are the times when I make no effort, or I actually provoke a situation, these often result in regrets.
This I do know, win, lose, or draw, I must keep trying to improve. The results are too important to leave to chance, and who wants to end up old -and bitter?
Saturday, April 19, 2008
The Other Side of the Relationship Coin
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2 comments:
Its amazing how easy it is to define whose against you. They seem to be so much better at raising their voices than those that stand in your corner. This often leaves you feeling there isn't anyone in your corner at all.
Hey, maybe were missing it on the support and prefering our Christian brothers/sisters. We all too often leave each other stranded and isolated.
When we have a friend that takes some heat we might want to blindly support all that they say but we should step it up on the support end so we'll see each other successful in our calling AND relationships.
Hey my friend, are you reading my mail? You have acurately articulated another angst angle allowing almost all an amazing analogy agonizingly analogous attune to all.
Thanks!
Steve
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