I Didn’t Know That, Thanks for Enlightening Me

This is my response when I used to argue from a need to enlighten someone else. Who am I to think that my truth is more correct than their’s is? Just saying I didn’t know that stops the conversation. It may even give me pause to consider that they are right and I am wrong. How did I feel before I found out I was wrong? Right! It just may be that both of us our right or even wrong. But engaging in a futile attempt to convince each other won’t draw us into a closer relationship but push us away from the closeness we desire. Connection comes in spite of different beliefs and opinions when I give it the space to grow. That space doesn’t happen when I stubbornly demand someone align with me or allow them to judge what I believe. 

Isn’t it a gift to accept one another knowing that each of our conclusions come from the walk we have taken through life. So for me I am choosing to respond in a way that won’t divide but will connect me regardless of our differences. 

When you tell me that green chili is better than red or that I can’t sweat because this is a dry heat……..I won’t argue but will respond. I didn’t know that. As I dig into my red chili burrito while sweating through my t-shirt in the southwest. The truth is what I believe in politics or most areas won’t impact what happens in the world. I used to waste too much time ingesting news on one side or the other that got me revved up. I am not in a position to make the choices that will guide our world. Don’t get me wrong. I vote. But the protestors on the streets on either side of the argument are not changing minds. Some honk to support them and others flip them off to discourage them. Wouldn’t it be great if even as I drive by I don’t judge but say to myself……I didn’t know that. 

In Him,

Joyful

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