Loved or
understood? Do we have to choose between the two?
I don’t think so.
When we take the
time to understand someone else, isn’t that a form of loving that person? Understanding someone demands
concentrated effort. Sometimes we must set aside prejudices and preconceived
ideas about a person. Understanding happens when we listen. When we consider
someone else more important than ourselves — when we let their story take
precedence over ours.
It’s not so much which
came first: loving or understanding? It’s more that you can’t have one without
the other. If you understand someone, you can’t help but care for them in at
least some small way. And if you love someone, then you are willing to put
in the effort to understand them — to ask who are you and why
are you who you are?
TWEETABLE
Loved or understood? Do we have to choose between the two? @BethVogt (Click to Tweet)
A nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never write fiction, Beth is now a novelist with Howard Books. She enjoys writing inspirational contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Connect with Beth on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or check out her blog on quotes, In Others’ Words.
Beth, Great question to ponder before my first cup of coffee. You stated so beautifully,Understanding someone demands concentrated effort" Time equals love. I think I'd rather be understood. I am quirky, some may say air headed at times, if a person took the time to understand why, I would appreciate that person. I have ADHD. Listening is the key factor. Thank you for the brain aerobics this morning.
ReplyDeleteCherrilyn: Listening is a beautiful form of love in action. And as you said, time equals love. I hope you have a beautiful day -- enjoy that cup of coffee!
DeleteI may be able to understand why a person does horrible things, but that does not mean I love them, especially apart from the love of Christ. However, when we are loved, we feel we can do anything. When we realize we are loved by God, we can do even more. If I had to choose between love and understanding, I would choose love, hands down ... and opened wide.
ReplyDeleteDavalyn: There are times I pray for the love of Christ to fill me ... for Christ to love someone else when my love isn't sufficient to do so. One of the most life-giving truths I've embraced is that of knowing God loves me.
Deleteloved, yes. understood—maybe accepted is a deeper need [for me]—not sure anyone would ever understand my wacky creative author-artist brain!!! except perhaps another wacky creative author-artist!! hahahah
ReplyDeleteRobin: Ah, this is why we creatives need other creatives -- because we "get" each other. :O)
ReplyDeleteI wrote my first book to get people to understand that the me they see today is only because of the grace of God. So, I want to be understood that though I'm a less-then-perfect man, it could have been worse. My readers I hope will understand how they need not be trapped by the past and that transformation is possible in Christ. Thanks for posing this question.
ReplyDelete