At Arms Length

This is going to be short...You're welcome.  It's going to be about me...I apologize.

I heard an honest statement recently:  "Everyone's wonderful until you get to know them."  And naturally, the inverse applies and that is, until they get to know you.

The way we often cope with getting to know someone as described in the context above, is to use our many carefully honed social skills that allow us to emotionally hold people at arms length.  Over the years of our lives, we've practiced this kind of distancing a good bit, with everyone from family members to distant acquaintances, to all points in between.

Because of our definition as individuals, our different life experiences and even the mood of the day, some of us will be easier to get along with than others of us and that's a good thing.

The point here is to not resort to emotional reflex in our relationships.  In most cases of course, boundaries of some type are appropriate and helpful.  However, the point here is that in implementing boundaries we should not become reflexive in relationship.  When we hear someone's voice and maybe look in their eyes, we should be trying to hear and see them, not the sum of our experience with them.  They're facing a new day and so are we. 

And guess what...For those that follow Christ, this applies first and foremost to our relationship with him.

Every day is new.  At some level, so are we.  I want to try and remember that each day.

So:  Good morning!  How ARE you doing today?