Communication Part 1: March 10, 2011

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 10, 2011

COMMUNICATION

TODAY WE READ THE WORDS FROM ONE OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN

DEFINITION:

To give or interchange thoughts, feelings, or information by speaking or writing; to express ideas of feelings effectively.

SCRIPTURE:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a tingling cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1.

By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established. Proverbs 24:3

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We have asked any of our grandchildren that wished to do so to write a devotional on one of the stepping stones that we have developed to have a happier family. This is the first one we are presenting as a devotional. Our oldest grandchild and her husband have chosen to write on COMMUNICATION the word for today.

If you have ever found yourself driving in a downtown area, you are well aware how difficult one-way streets can be to navigate on. You may have to circle around and around to get to a spot that was only a few yards away. The same is true when there is a lack of communication among two people. Just as a two-way street can help alleviate stress and create a variety of paths and a multitude of options, communication can open up doors for all types of relationships including families, friendships and marriages.

We have found that open communication is absolutely essential to the formation of a strong family unit. A vivid memory for both of us included our end-of-the-day family time at the dinner table. After a long and hard day of work and school, each member of the family was able to share about the events of the day. Through this open and warm environment, each person felt loved and encouraged and often received guidance and support through a difficult situation they might have encountered.

In both of our lives, we have also found actions to be some of the strongest venues for communication. From the sharing of toys with siblings, to the amount of time and effort our parents contributed to being at our special events, these actions were often able to communicate in a way that was deeper than words. Through each of these forms of communication, our families grew stronger in the love that we had for each other.

Communication is also one of the most valuable components in building a meaningful friendship. The sharing of common experiences, personal goals, and deep thoughts lead to a strong and lasting bond. We have both found that friendships that lack strong and consistent communication often fall apart in times of conflict or hardship. Even some of our seemingly strongest friendships have suffered when one or both friends discontinue efforts to keep in touch.

We want to thank our grandchild and her husband for these words on Communication. They have more to share with us tomorrow. We look forward to what they have to share with us just as we hope you do.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 Chronicles 28:20.

And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it, for the Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.”

PRAYER:

Keep me faithful in communicating with You, Lord. Help me to teach my children the importance of prayer and their need to communicate with You each and every day. Help us to communicate Your love to others not just by words but also by our actions.