Vulnerable- handle with care

[Neil D]

This morning, I am in one of those pensive moods where one comes up with the most strange and most vulnerable of ponderings...the ponder of one self....

Never mind how old I am....but do let me say that I have seen many a winter and spring...and I still feel that I don't have a handle on relationships between people....This youngster is afraid of screwing up relationships in general...

What sort of relationship? We all know that there are aquaintances,...you know, those type of people you know a little about and are on friendly terms with. An overview of the person is about all you know about them and you view them favorably....or maybe you don't...but still you talk to them....from time to time....

Then there is the business relationships- You trade your money for thier goods...you might even trade a joke or two with them...They are always friendly, and your skeptical side might feel that it is a way to keep you coming back....[it probably is!] so you don't feel too attached to them because of that.

but there is the "known and be known" kind of relationship where you can be open, express your doubts and fears, where you learn to express your kindness, caring and compassion. Where you make mistakes, and are not condemned for them [is there such a place?] ....Where is that kind of place found?

So far, my church is failing in this area...At least, the local one that I have been going to. It is unfortunate as I desparately need this. There are times when I long for the human touch, the caring of voice, and I miss that.....

Where is this sort of place....?

[Liz]

I don't think it exists anymore. Not in this day and age of cell phones and internet one doesn't actually need to talk to anyone face to face anymore to do business transactions. It has all become so cold and mechanical. People no longer sit on their front porches sipping lemonade and calling out to the neighbors walking their pets, or hanging out over the backyard fence and shooting the breeze.

People have forgotten the lost art of being neighborly. When is the last time someone from church has invited a visitor to their home for Sabbath lunch? Or the Pastor?

Growing up we always invited the visitors, complete strangers to our home, and had the Pastor to our home at least once a quarter. Nowadays though the church usually has potluck lunch and everyone is expected to stay. But if one is visiting, sometimes one doesn't feel included--that homey feeling is missing.

I don't know. I do know how you are feeling though.

((((Uncle Neil))))

[Woody]

Quote:

((((Uncle Neil))))

There's just too much lovin going on around here. I'm gettin jealous.

[Liz]

Oh, don't get jealous, you know very well that you and Neil are two of my most favorite uncles. And I love you both the same. So I will give you hugs too. ((((Uncle Red))))

[Woody]

Thank you Liz. I needed that ...

Maybe since you like Uncle Neil so much ... I will try to BEE nice to him then.

[Gail]

Quote:

This morning, I am in one of those pensive moods where one comes up with the most strange and most vulnerable of ponderings...the ponder of one self....

Always a dangerous move, Neil.

[Liz]

Maybe since you like Uncle Neil so much ... I will try to BEE nice to him then.

Thank you, one always likes it when ones' family members gets along.

[Woody]

Yeah. We fight like cats and dogs usually.

[Liz]

Yeah. We fight like cats and dogs usually.

And that is how I figured out ya'll was really family. You only let your *roots* show to your closest kin.

What makes me wonder is why Uncle Neil hasn't chimed in here yet. Do you think we have stunned him into silence?

[Woody]

Unkey Unkey Where you be ???

[Neil D]

Thank you Liz. I needed that ...

Maybe since you like Uncle Neil so much ... I will try to BEE nice to him then.

That's right nicely WHITE of you RED. I just hope you don't become BLUE over how nice Liz is to me....

[Neil D]

Quote:

This morning, I am in one of those pensive moods where one comes up with the most strange and most vulnerable of ponderings...the ponder of one self....

Always a dangerous move, Neil.

Care to expound upon this "dangerous move" and why it is so dangerous?

[Neil D]

What makes me wonder is why Uncle Neil hasn't chimed in here yet. Do you think we have stunned him into silence?

[LifeHiscost]

Where you make mistakes, and are not condemned for them [is there such a place?] ....Where is that kind of place found?

Where is this sort of place....?

More often than not, our conception of another's judgement is more a matter of placing a high estimation on ourself, and when another doesn't see us as we see ourself we consider it condemnation, when in reality they weren't giving us the benefit of their attention, not thinking us worth the effort.

Now that's a cynical viewpoint if I ever heard one.

"Love.... is ever ready to believe the best of every person." ! Cor 13:7 AMP

"How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"

Matthew 7:4 NIV

Cheers!

[Liz]

Sounds like you need a hug too. ((((LifeHiscost))))

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Everyone can always use a hug... :grouphug4:

[Gail]

Originally Posted By: Gail

Always a dangerous move, Neil.

Care to expound upon this "dangerous move" and why it is so dangerous?

Because you are left to yourself. Sometimes we keep ourselves busy to try to avoid thoughts that we'd rather not face. Can be scary!

Things like loneliness, sadness, rejection, or other pain. Things that hugs can help with. Character builders...

Can I join the group hug?

[Liz]

You betcha, (((((Pam))))) and (((((Gail)))))

[Gail]

You guys are the best!

[Neil D]

You guys are the best!

[LifeHiscost]

Originally Posted By: Neil D

....Where is that kind of place found?

For those willing to give (a) hug/s, they're the best warm and fuzzies. In answer to the question, I asked myself, if I were to be allowed into the kingdom of heaven (the kingdom of God is within you) the way I am now, would it still be heaven? Sadly I couldn't give a positive answer to that. So I'm guessing, Neil, the best place to find that place you're looking for is the kingdom of heaven.

And the best way to get there is to place your life in Jesus'

care on a continuous basis. Here's hoping to meet you there.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Rev 3:20 NKJV

"For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”" Romans 10:13 NKJV

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”" Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17 KJV

Blessings!

[LynnDel]

You can find that place in someone else's heart, but first you must experience the pain of the search for the heart that beats like yours, while you expose the vulnerability of your own.

LD

[Dottie]

LynnDel - -

I think that the exposing on one's own vulnerability is what keeps people from reaching out and being a friend, which must happen before one gets friends. There are those who feel that they are somehow different from others, and not in a good way. So they go around with a smile on their face, but have fear of others inside.