Just Let Her Know

I gladly entered it in my phone’s calendar. Both time and place were decided and I was really looking forward to my coffee date with a friend. The day of our meeting I was still jazzed to be together, but I was actually leaving my house at the time I should have already arrived. I’m sure that NEVER happens to you, or does it?

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Well, I’m just being real… I knew my friend Anne would give me grace. She’s the type to be more excited about our time together, even though a few minutes delayed, then to have me show up promptly, yet be stressed out and feel condemnation. I appreciate that about her!

Still, out of love and honor for her, I texted a brief message to let her know I was running late. I knew I shouldn’t text and drive, especially in my stick shift car, so I chose the alternative, to voice text her and let her know, I was on my way.

The whole voice texting process was such a debacle. All I was TRYING TO DO was alert my friend, I’m running late, I’ll be there soon… But that’s NOT what I communicated at all.

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I shifted into third gear, spoke into the phone and tried again. I slightly modified the message a bit: “It’s now already 11:00, but I’m on my way… see you soon!”

This time I requested be read back to me it said: “LOVE, It’s O’Clock see you tonight!”

I thought… What? No, no, no she’ll think I thought our meeting was for tonight! I can’t send it. CANCEL message

I sent another message… I said, It’s already eleven, on my way see you soon!

YIKES! But this time the text read back as, “It’s now already seven, on my way! Save me some!“

I cried aloud through a frustrated laugh, No, no, no! She’ll think I want to order something and she is supposed to SAVE me SOME of it! But she won’t know what I want to order!

Finally, I sent a VERY simple text.

When this fiasco happened, I got to thinking about communication, more specifically, miscommunication. I’ll admit, I was a bit frustrated at first because I was late and I was driving and was trying to get my actual meaning across before I arrived.

Then, a moment later, it brought me a lot of joy and laughter. I laughed at myself and also giggled at how convoluted the whole communication debacle became. I couldn’t wait to tell Anne about it, and I did. We had a good time over it!

Other than letting you know there is great freedom in not taking yourself too seriously or being too hard on yourself, here’s my cursory take-away.

• Never let someone else do the talking for you.

• Say what you mean and mean what you say. (This one has bit me in the butt before.)

• If it’s communication talking to God, called prayer just straight up tell Him honestly what you want to say, how you are feeling and then let the Holy Spirit make groans for you! He’ll do the interceding before God, along with Jesus who ever lives to intercede for us. I’m so thankful there isn’t the whole get it perfect or He’ll be confused part. He knows us. He made us. He knows our intentions, desires and motives better than we know our own.

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Here are a few scriptures for you to consider related to being known and making our requests known to Him:

• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

• Search me, God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there’s any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23, 24

• “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalm5:3NIV

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If the communication involves your children this is my go to verse:

• “Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.” Lamentations2:19NIV

I hope this silly texting miscommunication story helps you and encourages you too. No matter what you are going through, know that God cares and he get your messages. my advice, no matter what you are going through, just let Him know.

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Lily Pads by Rachel Inouye available on Amazon and audible

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