Sometimes you just gotta talk it out.
I've read many blogs, and I've heard about how fun they can be to write.
Now, if you're one of those people who really knows me, you've probably come to the point where you realize I'm a talker. I'm a great listener, yes, but I'm most definitely a talker. I love to talk and be talked to. There's something so beautiful about being heard - that someone else is willing to take the time to really listen to your story, or even just about what you ate for breakfast.
That being said, I firmly believe that not only is talking one of the best forms of communication in existence, but it's also fantastic therapy for the heart and soul. It's true that this is coming from an aspiring Christian counselor, but I think it probably rings true for everyone on the planet. I've heard it said many times from one of the wisest people I've ever met (and I'm proud to say she's my mentor), that there's something that's very powerful about putting words to what you're thinking and feeling. Talking and quality time may manifest itself in different ways depending on the person, but we're all built for it. Our Creator designed us with this desperate need for communication, no matter what that communication looks like.
Some of the most desperately lonely times in my life have been when I'm completely unable to have any sort of physical communication or contact with another person, or the person(s) I'm longing for - even if it's just for a moment. These times occur when my circumstances are too powerful for me to get around. For example: when I'm off somewhere away from home and something goes wrong with my cell phone; it dies and I have no charger, I'm in a place with no service, et cetera. Or, in the beginning stages of a huge transition when I'm not so accustomed to the new life, and I begin reaching out for the comfort of old relationships and people that I had always been able to count on, who just aren't there anymore for one reason or another.
The second is where I am in life right now.
There seems to be change and transition around every corner of my life in this present season, and it's very hard. It hurts. Change is necessary and inevitable as long as we're bound to this world that's ever-affected by time, but that doesn't mean it's not terrible every now and then.
So, one of the biggest lessons I'm learning right now is simply how to be alone without being consumed by the dark cloud of loneliness. I didn't really know that it was possible, but it is. For me, because I'm such a communicator by nature, "being alone" has always had such a negative connotation to it, but that's literally all it is - a negative connotation. Because my Creator knows me and loves me, I trust that He will always surround me with good people. But the point is to learn how to be okay with whatever I've got, whoever I'm with, wherever I am.
How the heck, after nearly 22 years of thinking the wrong way, am I supposed to learn how to do that??
Well, I've been led to two different points:
1. No one and nothing on this earth will ever be capable of satisfying my overwhelming desire for satisfaction and security, 100% of the time. Everything that is of this world changes, grows, leaves, or dies. Even people, no matter how much they may love you, will change, grow, leave, move on, and eventually die. It's a solemn truth, but it's a fact, Jack.
2. I'm bound to hope, because I'm in a hopelessly romantic relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. And if you're wondering who's better at loving... It's definitely not me. It never will be. In fact, my relationship with Jesus can never be mutual, because He will always love me more. If you're curious about how our relationship works, check out the book of Hosea sometime. Hint: It's a story that creates a parallel... God's like Hosea, and I'm like the wounded, confused, unfaithful whore of a wife. He is my pursuer when I try to run and hide from Him, He is the One who died for me so that I wouldn't have to live without Him, and He never changes. Ever. And something else that's really important for a talker like myself...
He is my best friend when I need to talk about anything, anytime, anywhere. That's pretty amazing.
This blog will help me to express myself and all the other cliché things that go along with blogging, but I'm so grateful for Jesus and all that He is. If nothing else happens, it's my hope and prayer that you, reader, will be encouraged and filled with the same hope that I have found in Him.
Life is a constant adventure. Sometimes it's scary, and other times it hurts a lot. But most of the time, it's beautiful. I've got so much that I've yet to learn, and I'm sure I'll want to tell you all about it. If I'm lucky, I'll come across a few people who will take the time to listen.
Until next time,
Lauren Elizabeth Butler
(LB)
Now, if you're one of those people who really knows me, you've probably come to the point where you realize I'm a talker. I'm a great listener, yes, but I'm most definitely a talker. I love to talk and be talked to. There's something so beautiful about being heard - that someone else is willing to take the time to really listen to your story, or even just about what you ate for breakfast.
That being said, I firmly believe that not only is talking one of the best forms of communication in existence, but it's also fantastic therapy for the heart and soul. It's true that this is coming from an aspiring Christian counselor, but I think it probably rings true for everyone on the planet. I've heard it said many times from one of the wisest people I've ever met (and I'm proud to say she's my mentor), that there's something that's very powerful about putting words to what you're thinking and feeling. Talking and quality time may manifest itself in different ways depending on the person, but we're all built for it. Our Creator designed us with this desperate need for communication, no matter what that communication looks like.
Some of the most desperately lonely times in my life have been when I'm completely unable to have any sort of physical communication or contact with another person, or the person(s) I'm longing for - even if it's just for a moment. These times occur when my circumstances are too powerful for me to get around. For example: when I'm off somewhere away from home and something goes wrong with my cell phone; it dies and I have no charger, I'm in a place with no service, et cetera. Or, in the beginning stages of a huge transition when I'm not so accustomed to the new life, and I begin reaching out for the comfort of old relationships and people that I had always been able to count on, who just aren't there anymore for one reason or another.
The second is where I am in life right now.
There seems to be change and transition around every corner of my life in this present season, and it's very hard. It hurts. Change is necessary and inevitable as long as we're bound to this world that's ever-affected by time, but that doesn't mean it's not terrible every now and then.
So, one of the biggest lessons I'm learning right now is simply how to be alone without being consumed by the dark cloud of loneliness. I didn't really know that it was possible, but it is. For me, because I'm such a communicator by nature, "being alone" has always had such a negative connotation to it, but that's literally all it is - a negative connotation. Because my Creator knows me and loves me, I trust that He will always surround me with good people. But the point is to learn how to be okay with whatever I've got, whoever I'm with, wherever I am.
How the heck, after nearly 22 years of thinking the wrong way, am I supposed to learn how to do that??
Well, I've been led to two different points:
1. No one and nothing on this earth will ever be capable of satisfying my overwhelming desire for satisfaction and security, 100% of the time. Everything that is of this world changes, grows, leaves, or dies. Even people, no matter how much they may love you, will change, grow, leave, move on, and eventually die. It's a solemn truth, but it's a fact, Jack.
2. I'm bound to hope, because I'm in a hopelessly romantic relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. And if you're wondering who's better at loving... It's definitely not me. It never will be. In fact, my relationship with Jesus can never be mutual, because He will always love me more. If you're curious about how our relationship works, check out the book of Hosea sometime. Hint: It's a story that creates a parallel... God's like Hosea, and I'm like the wounded, confused, unfaithful whore of a wife. He is my pursuer when I try to run and hide from Him, He is the One who died for me so that I wouldn't have to live without Him, and He never changes. Ever. And something else that's really important for a talker like myself...
He is my best friend when I need to talk about anything, anytime, anywhere. That's pretty amazing.
This blog will help me to express myself and all the other cliché things that go along with blogging, but I'm so grateful for Jesus and all that He is. If nothing else happens, it's my hope and prayer that you, reader, will be encouraged and filled with the same hope that I have found in Him.
Life is a constant adventure. Sometimes it's scary, and other times it hurts a lot. But most of the time, it's beautiful. I've got so much that I've yet to learn, and I'm sure I'll want to tell you all about it. If I'm lucky, I'll come across a few people who will take the time to listen.
Until next time,
Lauren Elizabeth Butler
(LB)
Wow! A Blogger! That, my sweet talker, was a great introductory post. Personally, I can't wait to read more.
ReplyDeleteLB, Great Blog. Keep em coming. God gave you a gift .. Use it. David Cone
ReplyDelete