I’m joining in with a group of writers for Five Minute Friday (this week the topic is DISAGREE) where we’re given a prompt and write for five minutes about it.
I vacillate between the mostly-unspoken message I learned as a child (there are some things we just don’t talk about—politics and religion being two of the most important) and the call from Jesus to be a peacemaker (not a peace keeper, the two are distinctly different).
I don’t like conflict and my tendency is to be quiet so as not to stir the pot and keep my thoughts to myself, but as I age I’m beginning to see wisdom in doing less of that, and more of speaking truth in love.
Will I ever be a radical? Not likely. Will I ever be comfortable with sharing an opposing opinion? Maybe not. But if I believe what I say about the wisdom in listening to differing schools of thought, shouldn’t I also be willing to speak of my own?
Despite what we see too much of, disagreement can be respectful. It’s wise to disagree with an ntention to listen and consider another opinion, as opposed to listening with the intent of speaking and changing the others mind.
I—we—have much to learn about the value of healthy disagreement. The older I get the more believe that peace for the sake of peace isn’t the wisest course. Peacemaking involves discomfort. That’s just how it works.
Some things just don’t need my talk,
I don’t want to toss word-bricks;
to me, parrot who swallowed clock
is prime example: “Polly Ticks”.
But that parrot is a lot more bright
than talking heads on the TV,
so far left and so far right
that they really muddle me,
and I’ll shake my head and sigh,
for they just want my thought to bend,
and it’s time to say goodbye,
to let this silly madness end,
and place my over-riding vote
by clicking ‘off’ on the remote.
Linda, as I age I also feel the need to voice my life wisdom instead of just listening. I pray the relationships I have established will bear the weight of my honesty. Thank you for your thoughts.
“Peacemaking involves discomfort.” Love it. For me, the challenge is figuring out when I am making peace and when I am trying to make myself right.
Amie, FMF #16