Did You Say Chicken Alfredo Disease? The Art of Communication

Where I'm at: Living Room Couch
Weather: Clear 76 degrees
Sounds/Sights - Nothing Spectacular
Mood: Joyful, Excited, at Peace



So - what kind of a title is "Chicken Alfredo Disease? The Art of Communication"? Let me explain. You see, today, I was talking on the phone with Shana - and anyone who knows her knows that she can rattle on like no tomorrow! And she rattles on pretty fast too! Well, in the middle of her conversation with me she said "Chicken Alfredo Disease" - or so I thought. Huh??? I interrupt. She says it again "Chicken Alfredo Disease". Now, I'm sure she has gone off the deep end, but because I'm a loving and considerate Auntie, I continue to probe into the mystery of her words. Finally, she says "I'm making Chicken Alfredo this eve" First of all - who talks like that anyway? And second of all, Why didn't she say "I'm making Chicken Alfredo for - dinner tonight, or for dinner, or tonight - NOT "this eve"! Again, I just have to ask - who talks like that???<:


Communication is a funny thing - it's all about interpretation. Factually - I can say something, but if what I say is heard differently - it really doesn't matter what I actually said, right? That's why it can be so important to repeat what someone says in your own words back to them - that way, if you heard them incorrectly you can get it straightened out sooner rather than later.


I looked up "Communication" and one of its definitions is: The transmission of information so that the recipient understands what the sender intends.


Communication occurs only when the sender's intentions are understood by the recipient. (Did you notice how I repeated the definition in my own words - like saying it back to the person who said it to me?)<:


Tonight, I met with some girl friends for a weekly Bible study. Several times we misunderstood each other in our conversations. Just silly stuff - but I was more aware of it because of my conversation with Shana earlier. It's very easy to not understand what people say. I wonder how often we go through our lives not understanding what someone is really saying to us? How often do we misinterpret or misunderstand their words and/or meaning? What does it take to really be able to communicate with someone?


Here's my two cents: I think communication comes through trust and security. Why? Because if I trust someone and am secure in our relationship, I will have confidence to ask questions until I understand what they are saying. And if they trust me and are secure in their relationship with me, they will continue to answer my questions or come up with others ways to get their point across where I understand what they are meaning. But if I don't have a trusting relationship and feel secure with that other person, I would most likely pretend that I understand, and walk away from the conversation angry, hurt, confused or baffled - thinking that person is just crazy - Chicken Alfredo disease??


What's my encouragement for the day? Ask questions. Find out what someone is really meaning/saying if you don't understand or you think it sounds kooky! And when someone asks for clarification (even if it's "what in the heck did you just say/mean?) - try to find another way to say it, or repeat it as many times as needed. Especially when it's someone you love and care for - the relationship is worth that extra time, and possible frustration and/or irritation with each other. We don't always understand those who we know really well - but because we know them really well, we should be willing to do all we can to understand them.


Shana left me a voice mail message - she said the Chicken Alfredo Disease was delicious! Did I think - huh? Nope - because now I understand what she means - because we practiced the art of communication.<:


How are you doing in the communication department with those you love? How are you doing in your communication with God? Do you trust Him enough and are you secure in Him to ask questions - to really find out what He is saying to you and what it means - specifically, to you? I challenge you to practice the art of communication with Him - see what happens!<:



Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.