Fool Me Once…

Literally 3 times this week, people have flat out lied to me, and strangely enough, all have been experiences within the context of apologies.

Our internet and phone has been down, and the service provider told me they’d have it fixed by this morning.

I clarified this statement with them.

Twice.

“So if I understand you right, the problems will be resolved and I will have both phone and internet again by tomorrow morning at the latest?” I asked.

“Yes ma’am, and we are so sorry for this inconvenience, we apologize for the difficulty,” she said, from somewhere in Jakarta.

I was surprised this morning, when I called from my cell phone to inquire why my phone and internet were still down.

“You are not scheduled for service until the 27^th of September,” the guy tells me.

OH.

Nice.

As you can see, I have internet (and phone) once again. But I had to “escalate” the issue three levels to get this problem resolved. When I read Proverbs 22 yesterday morning, I was struck by the very first passage: 1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

I’m a firm believer that the only two things I can fully control are 1) the decisions I make about how to spend my time, and 2) how I choose to behave in relationships (either with integrity, character, love, patience, etc. or not).

A while ago I did a blog on how to apologize…I think what I’m saying today is that yes, by all means, be a grown up and apologize.

But don’t do it as a manipulative communication technique.

Or do it within the context of a lie to buy yourself a few hours, days, or weeks of hassle-free interaction.

While I’m on the topic of interactions, we have a few spots left in The Respect Dare E-Course. I can’t tell you why right now, but it is one of the last few times we’re going to run it this way. It is 6-12 minutes of video teaching a week, online forum-type community involvement with women just like you who are going through the book (which is posted in chapter form in the online course) and weekly accountability and encouragement from me. Not that I’m special, but I just love encouraging you to do the next thing in your marriages and relationship with God…and I’m going to miss the format, but I trust God with what He is doing…wish I could tell you more right now, but I just can’t. J It’s all good, though.

And I apologize for behaving like a random blogger this week – it just couldn’t be helped.  🙁 

At any rate, dare you to tell the truth this week, even if it’s bad news or difficult.

Double dog dare you to share, comment, or sign up via email and subscribe. J

Glad to be back online – and especially glad to be on The Journey with you!

~Nina