Don't just wonder how something works, ask an expert.
Don't just guess why things are the way they are, research and find the reason.
Don't just assume your friend doesn't want to talk about it, check in with them.
Go deeper than How are you?
Ask How is your job going? What are you working on these days?
Be more interested than How is your family?
Ask How are your children? What fun things are coming up next?
Lean in to more than How are you feeling?
Ask How are the treatments going? When can I come visit so we can catch up?
Anyone can say I will pray for you.
Be the one to ask May I pray with you about that now?
Everyone can pretend they understand.
Be the one to ask Will you please explain this to me, I can't really comprehend it.
All of us can assume someone else will step in to help.
Be the one to ask What do you need most right now? I want to do something.
Think about young children:
They ask a lot of questions because they want to learn. How often are we too embarrassed to admit we don't know the answers? Keep asking questions, keep learning!
Think about the Apostle Thomas:
He wasn't ashamed to admit he didn't know if it was really Jesus.
How often do we just pretend, and go along blindly with the crowd?
Keep asking questions, let them take your hand to show you, receive the blessing.
Think about the Pharisee Nicodemus:
He had no clue about what Jesus was teaching.
Are we too afraid of appearing naive, or do we have the courage to ask for help?
Keep asking questions, keep growing!
Ask the Questions!
You got me again! Ugh!
i tend to be more ‘passive’ than ‘personal’ in my conversations for the most part. I will try to begin to implement the ‘pray with’ instead of the ‘pray for’ interaction in conversations. Thx Monica!