Prayables | stubborn is dumb

Published: Thu, 10/21/21

Thursday October 21, 2021

It pays to know the enemy–not least because at some time you may have the opportunity to turn him into a friend.
Margaret Thatcher

Praise to You God, whose miracles I see everywhere, every day. I lift my eyes and acknowledge the miracle of flight. Not only for the birds in the sky but
for those of us who can board an airplane and be transported to faraway places. And then be taken back home again. Thank You, God, for new inventions and the awareness of how blessed we are, to live in a time when we too, can fly.

To error is human, stubborn is dumb, and to forgive is the smartest way to live. May God bless you with the giving and getting of second chances.

Micha 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons the guilt of the people, overlooking their sins? You do not stay angry with Your people forever, because You
delight in showing unfailing love.

I'M FULLY VACCINATED, MY WIFE ISN'T

HERE'S HOW WE MAKE IT WORK

"Listen with an open heart and mind. Ask questions that’ll help you understand the life experiences that led this person to what he or she believes."

By Douglas Noll, as told to Meghan Rabbitt

When I tell people that I am fully vaccinated and my wife, Aleya, is not, almost everyone looks at me with shock and awe. They wonder how it’s possible that we could make such different choices and not let it impact our relationship. They ask if it leads to knock-down, drag-out fights. And they don’t believe me when I tell them that those scenarios couldn’t be farther from the truth.

I know this debate is causing so much strife among so many, driving wedges through families and friendships and prompting a lot of angst in the process. But I can also tell you—both through my personal experience as well as my expertise as a professional mediator with decades of experience managing and resolving conflicts of all types—that it doesn’t have to be that way. It is possible to feel drastically different from someone you love about a heated topic and talk about it with love and respect. Here’s how.

Step No. 1: Both parties need to take responsibility for their choices. My wife is different than many anti-vaxxers. Aleya and I both believe that with democracy and freedom comes great responsibility, which means that if you’re not going to get vaccinated, you have to isolate. It is morally irresponsible to not get vaccinated and then be out in society.

Thankfully, we live on 10 acres in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California and Aleya is able to self-isolate. Because she has taken personal responsibility for her choice and isn’t putting others or herself in harm’s way, our different decisions on this topic feel workable. Let’s say you’re vaccinated and someone you love isn’t, and that person takes a selfish approach puts his or her own health and the health of others at risk—well, that’s not OK. If someone isn’t willing to understand their choices have consequences, you might not be able to be in relationship with that person.

Step No. 2: Learn how to listen like a professional mediator. When Aleya and I have conversations around difficult topics, we take turns asking each other two questions...READ MORE

PRAYERS FOR FRIEND WITH CANCER

I want to ask all of you in joining me in praying for my friend who was diagnosed with cancer. She has been very sick from the chemo, she is depressed and is resisting any help. It is dark times. Please pray that her darkness turn to light. Pray that there be a happy end to her problems. Pray for her family too. Everyone is suffering.

- karen