I read a great post today given to use by Ann Voskamp – written by The Flourishing Mother – http://flourishingmother.blogspot.com/2010/12/words.html about Words. OR the lack there of – She begins with “I have been hurt more by words not spoken than actually said to me.”
I ask my question to the many ladies that read this blog – the majority of you I do not get the pleasure of sharing tea with – only words –
How you deal with people in your life that want to share tea and not words? Share social networking site status updates but not the details of their life?
I am dealing with two specific instances in my “in real life” friends – where I know that I am the one talking – and they are the one guarding. I have been praying about what God would have me to do – my responsibility – in pulling out their words – they are going through a struggle – is it my responsibility to get them to share their words?
I have stopped scrolling through FB for the past couple of weeks. It has been cleansing to not spend time trying to figure out what friends mean in their posts. I called friend this week who posted a half informative status report – I have another friend that posted a “if you really knew me you would understand what this means” post. Why do ladies do that on FB? If you don’t want your 210 closest “friends” to know, why post half of it?
I am asking – really seeking – this week – and into the new year – how to merge the desire to be a servant, an encourager, a woman of God – with social networking. I am looking at my desire to be a helper and offer hospitality – when there is no physical way to meet that online need.
I purchased a new notebook this week – a new beautiful journal – to write when the Lord allows me to see a half spoken need – a friend with a job change, a friend who is moving, a child who was hurt – but I do not have the time to call and catch up, and allow those events to affect my mood or temper or time away from my responsibilities of the day at home.
This is not merely a FB question – as that answer is easy enough and I have traveled that easy solution twice this year – turn it off. De-activate – my husband doesn’t ever read or respond to FB, my grandmother never used it – Write more letters to communicate, call more. That’s not really the point of my question to you.
If you are reading this blog and have a blog – the question really isn’t about you – but for you to help me sort out. My bloggy friends share their lives, photos, hurts, frustrations, victories – I think it is why I feel close to “friends” I have yet to meet in this world.
My question is about those around me – going through struggles with closed lips. I a wife of a struggling husband and two young boys – my ministry being my home – and a broken heart for the wounded – who do not seem to display my joy and hope.
There seems to be a tendency – to share a bit – but not a whole – and I don’t know what is expected of me – am I supposed to pull it out? Am I supposed to respect space? Am I supposed to care? Am I supposed to be apathetic? How do you respond?
For now – I am changing my prayer journal – and giving it to the Father –
If you are a chatty online friend – how do you deal with the closed lips of those in your every day life? If you are one of my every day life friends – I offer to you – come, sit by my fire – tell me your story – let us kneel before the Father and give him our yokes. Silence only heaps weight on those burdens that you bear.
If you are a silent lurker of this site – with a silent need – and no way to blog – or fear of public display – I encourage you to write me a note – I would love to exchange private emails to encourage you! pebblekeeper@gmail.com
+Angie Wright
