My husband and I often laugh at our communication skills or the lack thereof. Communication is vitally important in our relationships, yet we mess it up terribly. We fall short of communicating well.

It is in our nature to assume things, forget things, and lose words. Yes, we often fail in communication. However, in that place is also an opportunity for grace. A place, a beautiful place to extend grace.

It is not always easy to communicate with our spouse, friends, and other family members. That doesn’t mean we just give up. It doesn’t mean we have the right to be angry long term or stop communication altogether. No, I believe in the hard place of communication is where we are to extend grace. Isn’t that how we would want to be treated?

Luke 6:31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. NKJV

 

Further, how do we communicate with God? Communication is also vital in our relationship with Him.

Do we sit, take time, and pour out our hearts to Him? Do we take the time to find the words to communicate what is in our hearts, our souls? Do we practice daily conversation with our Lord?

I am guilty. I am guilty of throwing a “You know what I am feeling” up to Heaven. I am guilty of going through a day and only whispering prayers when I need help. I fall short in my communication skills with my God as well.

Somehow, He continues to extend a hand of grace. God is full of grace. God is full of love. He wants us to communicate with Him. He wants to hear from us. Can we expect a relationship with Him without communicating? Would we call a friend, a friend, without communication?

I am reminded of the early years with my husband before we were married. We wrote emails back and forth for nine months before we ever met face to face. I know that is somewhat unconventional these days. Looking back I am thankful for that season of building friendship only through written word. We had to communicate. We had to think about what we wanted to express. Now we have only been married three years and it feels like longer. Writing back and forth paved a road of communication for us. While the journey in marriage often leads us up steep hills I am thankful that the road has been paved years ago. Our communication isn’t perfect, yet in our hearts, we value communication due to our beginning. Our beginning as a couple.

Once we see the value in communication our eyes and hearts are opened. Opened to try our best and extend a hand of grace where needed.

I am challenged today to sit. Sit with the Lord. Open my heart, give time. Put up the orange cones and work, pave the road of communication. I want a rich, full relationship with my God. Don’t you? Will you join my today?

What would our days be like if we stopped to praise? What do our days be like if we brought our needs, our loads and let go? What would our days be like if we put in the time to pave the road?

 

Father, help me pave the road between me and Thee. I pray for the grace to open communication with You to its fullest potential. Oh God, I want to be in relationship with You, deep relationship. I desire to communicate with You better than any other. Father, You are the best Communicator! You get me. You understand me. Teach me to express. Teach me to talk with You. Let’s pave the road. Let’s walk together, Father. I am Yours. I am Your daughter. We are in relationship…make it full. Make it alive as I open my mouth and heart before You. In the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. ESV

Phillippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ESV

Luke 11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” ESV