Speak the 'Text' in Love

I sent a text that did not go to the intended recipient. It brought pain because it was written with no filters, no empathy and no love. I was not trying to be politically correct, but simply stating my frustrations about a situation to my husband. The recipient of this message, whom the text was about, replied with simple words nearly six hours later. I was shocked, embarrassed and a little confused at how she had received the message. What do you do with that faux pas? The words I had written were true, but not covered in any grace or love. Ouch! Speak the truth in love. This is the direction of someone living an extraordinary life. This applies to face-to-face, phone, email, Facebook, twitter and texting interactions. This also applies to family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances and even our enemies. My words ought to be spoken in love. The recipient ought to receive love, grace, compassion, and kindness along with that truth. I used to think this meant that I had to candy-coat things so as not to bring any pain to any one at any time. I've come to realize that speaking in love with no truth is just as wrong as speaking truth without love. Neither of these extremes are effective.

In spite of this turn of events over a text message gone awry, there were some blessings to follow. My text came about after weeks of frustration that I was struggling to articulate. Well, the ice is broken (with a boulder) and we are now proceeding with some long-overdue open, honest communication.

Are you hiding from a long overdue conversation? What are you waiting for? Will you choose to consider your words, then take the action necessary to create open, honest communication? The path of action (as painful as it may seem) is much less painful than the ramifications of a misdirected text -- and much more extraordinary too!

Be Extraordinary!