Katiuska and Yasmin hanging out in the park
This past week has been pretty rough considering all the relational conflict that has come up between me and host family and teenage girls. It seemed like everyday there was something coming up.
In the host family I had a communication breakdown with the youngest of the brothers. Wouldn't you know it, all of us guys in the house were making claims on the remains of the food in the house. There were a few words exchanged between all of us and the youngest brother and I came out of this conflict with some hurt feelings. We were both joking with what we said, but for whatever reason the words we said were taken seriously. The next day I took him aside and apologized for what all that was said. He accepted my apology and now we are on good terms again!
In the same week I had a bit of a scare with the girls at the younger Casa Hogar. All 20 of us went to the park that is located a couple of blocks away from the house. We had a good time playing soccer, swinging on the swingset, and hanging off the jungle gyms. When it was time to go I found the girls all huddled around an young lady that was a stranger to me. When I came up I saw the young lady hide something away in her backpack. Again, there was conflict. They didn't understand why I needed to know what they were looking at. And they didn't understand that I wanted to know because I wanted to make sure that they were safe from all harm. That night I took them aside and apologized for getting upset and told them that I love them and cared for them; and that's why I was upset before.
I am so glad that these conflicts have come up. Naturally, I am wired to shy away from conflicts. And, naturally, the last thing that I want to do is to be the one to take steps to make amends. So, in these conflicts I have been given opportunities to make changes to this weakness of mine. I have come out of this week with my head still held high and I am more aware of all of our dependence on Jesus' love to see us through this life. I will never be able to do all things perfectly. And that's why I depend on Jesus.
3 comments:
Hey Joel:
Seems like communication is just plain tough. I share you frustrations with understanding and being understood. Glad you have the tools and personality to be the peacemaker!
Tough lessons to learn. Congratulations on learning them much quicker than I did.
Joel, I'm so glad you were able to make things right so quickly. It's so much better that way and the wall that blocks communication doesn't have a chance to build.
Post a Comment