Last August was “reader response month” and I’m thinking about repeating that experiment. It’s getting kind of lonely here on my side of what feels like a one-way conversation. I do talk to myself quite regularly, but it’s nice to have a little feedback once in awhile.
I am not (just) fishing for praise or even encouragement. I really love to have conversations. I love to listen to what others have to say. And sometimes, I get bored with my own thoughts, though not often 🙂
My dad taught me to ask questions. He is the penultimate question asker. He often has an agenda, but he truly cares about people and will often ask probing questions. I learned to ask open-ended questions from other sources, however. So that is what I want to do this month. I want to ask an open-ended question and enjoy hearing whatever you are prompted to say. You can use any form of communication–and there are so many these days, it boggles my mind. Text me, Instagram me, Message me, Reply o the blog, Email me, Call me, Leave me a message on my answering machine. Or–and this is really archaic–write me a real letter.
Please.
So here is the question:
How has hope changed you?
Hope means everything to me. Or, hope in Christ I should say. The sure hope that I will see my son Paul again. That hope sustained me in the beginning, and still sustains me. Not only, that I will see him, but that I will continue the relationship, without the hassles and pain of this life.
The hope that someday, the things that are broken and out of my control will be made right, and they will be made new, just as they should have been in the beginning of things.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-hope-20-uplifting-scripture-quotes/#ixzz39dn12jRW
It is a good thing to ask questions, especially in a conversation. It takes the focus off ourselves and puts us in the other person’s shoes and see things from their perspective. A good lesson your dad taught you!
It was nice conversing with you Chris, how are you?