“Don’t be ‘angy’, Papa! I just a widdle boy.” Garrison Cooley (age 3)

Those words ring in my head when we as Christians, friends, family, church family, work buddies get angry or irritated with each other and choose not to work things out between each other. Those words were spoken by Garrison when he didn’t want to get out of the bathtub and go to bed one night many moons ago. My husband, Kevin, who has the patience of Job got a lil frustrated with G and it must have shown when Garrison spoke up for himself and at age 3 had the wisdom to try & work out the conflict. What he did was simple. He looked up as his Dad who he knew loved him and said, “Don’t be angy, Papa. I just a widdle boy.” Side note: in India they call their dads Papa & so when the boys were little and we lived there, that’s what they called their dad and it stuck.

When someone crosses a boundary with you next time or doesn’t do or say something you don’t approve of, speak up. And work it out. Most likely when you do so, assuming positive intent that you are loved, which is what love does, the one who just wronged you will likely melt like puddy in your hands like Kevin did with Garrison. What could have turned into a full blown traumatic event as it does in toxic environments even resulting in abuse many times unfortunately in some families, actually brought warm fuzzies instead in the loving environment of our family and its one of our funniest and special memories from Garrison’s childhood.

Perspective is everything and when we simply speak up like Garrison did, it will give the person you are having issue with a new perspective like it did Kevin that he wasn’t seeing or thinking about at the time. Garrison didn’t get up out of the tub and go run away because his dad got frustrated with him. Instead, Garrison was heard. And then Kevin I’m sure was heard also and most likely Garrison got on out of the tub pretty soon after that and went to bed with a bedtime story and prayers but with patience having her perfect work in both of them with each other.

What relationship can you think of that this story could apply to in your life? Let God speak to you and soften your heart toward someone who maybe has crossed a boundary with you or who is not doing what you think they are supposed to do. God can heal that relationship. But whatever you do, don’t just storm off like a brat on the playground from fifth grade who doesn’t get their way without at least discussing the matter and hearing each other out, seeking to understand maybe a perspective you are not seeing.

If you find yourself in a difficult relationship, love never fails. Sometimes love is to speak up in a loving, respectful way like Garrison did….not “angy” or hurt, or offended but just simply speaking up believing the best of each other that you will be heard does the trick and restores health to the relationship. In the rare cases you aren’t heard, that’s another story for another blog. And is actually outlined in detail how to handle those cases in the chapter Forgive ANYWAY in my latest book Love ANYWAY found anywhere books are sold. And it may surprise you, what it is says and how to handle those situations!

But 9 times out of 10, when you speak up in the right way and seek to understand, you will also be understood. It’s simply the spiritual law of giving and receiving. Love never fails!

Happy Monday!

Adrienne

Hey! There’s lots more where this came from!!! Join us online or in person THIS FRIDAY night at the Love ANYWAY Ladies Night Out & let’s talk about “When life’s a circus, love never fails!” I know it looks like love does fail sometimes but this evening we are going to break it down and see what is actually failing and how to make things work out in the relationships that mean the most to us! Register at AdrienneCooley.com & there’s still time! You have 24 hours to get your party packs if you are in the southeast of the US!!