Misinterpretation

Misinterpretation. If we love someone, why do we misunderstand their motives?

It happens to me from time to time...like I'll just being sitting there having the best chat with Randall and then all of a sudden he'll say something that doesn't seem quite right to me or vice versa and before you know it some big miscommunication has happened. And then it's like the best evening suddenly turns crappy all because we chose one sentence or one paragraph of words that for some reason or another didn't make it through the other person's filter the way we intended it to.

When I think about it, it seems like it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Sometimes it turns into more of a deal than other times, but why can't we just say, "Hey, hon, I don't think I'm understanding what you're saying. Do you think you could say it a different way?" Or, "Hey, hon, I understood you say X. Is that what you're trying to say?"

It seems like a really simple lesson. So what am I missing?

If it is that easy, it seems like we should just be doing it.

Is the easy path the road less traveled? The straight and narrow path? Hmm. You know, I do think it is. Because, in some ways, our humanity tricks us into going down the wider path of thinking: "Well, he just doesn't understand me at all" or "Well, she's just getting into a tizzy over nothing" or whatever the case may be. The wider path is the path of selfishness. It's the path that says:

my feelings, opinions, thoughts > your feelings, opinions, thoughts

When really it should be:

your feelings, opinions, thoughts > my feelings, opinions, thoughts

And when both people are thinking that way, then it's nearly impossible to head down the wrong side of the trail. When both people understand that the other has his/her best interest in mind, then there is no room for that doubt or creeping questions to enter in. The straight and narrow path is easily stayed upon because our faith in God allows us to trust the other's motives and love for us. So, it's pretty cool in the sense that:

Faith in God = Ability to truly & completely trust the person He's created for you

BECAUSE you understand that even if that person hurts you (which is going to happen from time to time), God ultimately is working through every aspect of the relationship. So it all begins and ends with Him. We trust Him, we love and trust another, and He takes care of our best interests and molds us more and more into the person we were created to be for His Glory!!

Wow, that's a pretty cool thought. Hope it all makes sense and that I didn't lose you with my attempt at literary math :) Peacin' out for now, folks!