Let’s get something straight from the very beginning: I LOVE the art of communication. I love having a pretty extensive
vocabulary. I love words and the power
they have. I love being able to express
myself in writing and vocal conversations with my friends. I love reading and all the adventures
inherent in immersing yourself in a book that takes you far, far away, just by
the turn of a page. I love all
that. HOWEVER, I learned early in life
that everyone doesn’t feel the same way I do.
Just because you have a thought in your head, and have the vocabulary to
express it – sometimes, maybe a thing is better left unsaid.
So…early on in my life, I learned the power of the innuendo. I learned that I could say what I wanted to
say, all while implying that I was saying something else. I learned that mental pictures, painted by
the crafty use of string of words, placed together with precise detail, would
garner the desired result – without (necessarily) exposing any nefarious
thoughts I was seeking to express at the time.
It especially worked well with members of the opposite sex because men
are visual creatures. Give them an image
– mental or actual – and they will run with it every time. (Sorry guys, but you KNOW this to be true.)
However, lately, I am finding out that it is more important to
just be forthright and honest with people.
To stop hiding behind the innuendo and just say what I mean – but more
importantly, to mean what I say. It
tends to take people off guard because we live in a society where honesty is
NOT the first thing people give each other.
Between the lies we promote on Facebook about the “fabulosity” of our
lives to the 140 characters we tweet on Twitter to prove how witty and clever
we are – we are rarely honest with ourselves, much less with each other. So, when I step out from behind the innuendo
armor that I have worn for so long, and state my views and feelings with
honesty and openness, people are taken aback and I get the nervous response,
“Kristina, you are so funny – or silly – or…whatever.” Nope, I am just being honest.
Our words have power (or they should, anyway). In Luke 4:32, it states: “And
they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.” When Jesus walked this earth, the people
followed after Him because He was unlike anyone they’d ever seen before. He was not like their local priest or elder
or prophet. He spoke the truth – and He
spoke it with power and conviction and certainty – because HE knew the truth of
what He was saying. He didn’t speak in
innuendos for nefarious reasons. His
parables were teaching lessons, usually drawn from nature, that the people
could relate to and take home with them to ponder and understand.
I have been blessed to have two
male friends in my life who, lately, have really been pulling me up whenever I
cross the line with my statements of innuendo.
And, at first, I was “mad” at them.
But I realize that God places people in your life for HIS purpose and
not necessarily for your own. So, I’m
just gonna take the verbal chastisement and (hopefully) learn my lesson. Pray for me to that end, won’t you?
Be blessed.
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