A Woman in My Own Right (I’m a person, too)
II Cor. 3:18 – “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
I awakened one morning with a dream, and the strong, wonderful sense that I AM A PERSON! I AM AN INDIVIDUAL! I EXIST, AND I MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The substance of the dream does not seem to be pertinent, but the ending does.
The man in my dream looked me in the eye and asked me what in particular I had liked about the music. Then he waited. He listened. He asked for more. He listened. He valued what I had to say. I had to think and to evaluate what it was that had moved me. And when I had given what I could in the way of an answer, he received that, too, and at NO time did he belittle me, nor did I feel belittled. But it was a challenge to me, to be treated like a person “in my own right” and my thoughts, my opinions, my feelings, my contribution was valued. He cared.
How did he communicate this valuing?
1. maintaining eye-to-eye contact
2. listening with undivided attention
3. waiting patiently for my response
4. patiently questioning for more depth and/or clarification
5. expressing appreciation for my contribution and for my “spending” of myself to share.
6. letting me know that I made a difference, through action and attitude and presentation.
I began to think, “who models this to me?” I “heard” Jesus say, “That was ME, Nancy, showing you how it is supposed to be.” So, who in the flesh model this for me? Where have I experienced it in the natural world? Thank You, Lord, for these models who are helping me become more like You, a PERSON who makes a difference. Thank You for speaking to me. I feel full.