Start with You

Teaching about romantic relationships this past weekend, Rob Wegner said, "Choosing the right person is important. Becoming the right person is more important." You can watch the service here.

I thought it would be awkward if I stood on my chair and started cheering, but I wanted to!

Here are places where I've seen this principle apply to other relationships...

• Raising great kids is important. Becoming a great parent is more important.
• Having good friends is important. Becoming a good friend is more imporant.
• Finding employees with character is important. Becoming a leader of character is more imporant.

Most of us spend some time hurting, being angry, and trying to figure out how to get the other person to change before we look in the mirror at ourselves.

This is my weakest area of listening. I want people to get to the mirror - to look at themselves. They'll generally remain in a state of discomfort, and their pain usually even gets worse, until they do. 

It's hard to wait.  

Comments

[Stephanie]

It's so easy to slip away from this focus. One thought at a time, and the scale has tipped again. Thank you (And Rob Wegner and the awesome weekend service - I would have stood and cheered with you!) for the reminder.

[Jenny Maust]

Thanks Kathy, I thought I was the only one who wanted to stand on my chair and clap during services at GCC. Great message and great point.

[Elaine]

Kathy,
Looking in the mirror at myself has been very difficult for me but I have become a lot better at it.
It is something special to me when I have been faced with a lion & don't know how to conquer it without causing a dispute. I have never been good with arguments nor having things thrown in my face. This is something I continue to try and work on, I am still a long way off.