Being transparent...

"We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. As a fair exchange -- I speak as to my children -- open wide your hearts also."
~ 2 Corinthians 6:11,13

Becoming an "open book" to others can be very scary for some folks.  There is always that thought that somehow what we have experienced, whether it is our own doing or, something that has happened because of someone else, is going to effect the way that others see us.

Being able to become vulnerable, or transparent, can result in many things, but most of all, it can provide for a place for communication to begin.  This is perhaps one New Year's resolution that many of us might embrace.

When we become vulnerable with ourselves, we can then become safe places for others.

When we offer ourselves as vessels of God's love, we cannot help but invite people to love one another. When people realize that we have no hidden agendas or unspoken intentions, then we hopefully can be seen as instruments of reconciliation and hopefully peace.

If we live our lives being judgmental and opinionated, we soon discover that people will not share what they truly feel for fear of being a victim of judgement. If you are a place of refuge, then you must be open to the experience of the refugees.

Only then can others truly feel welcome to share of their experiences, as well as, be a place where real conversations can happen.

So much of the time this happens without any thought or planning. The act of reconciliation most often takes place when we ourselves are least aware of it. Our simple, nonjudgmental presence does it.

May we all learn to be agents of hospitality and places where others feel safe, as we find ways to become more true to who we are ourselves.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2018