W, age 8, said this to me this morning..."You're really correct, Mom."
What I heard was, "You're really CRACKED, Mom."
I laughed when I realized I'd misheard him. There IS more on my plate these days, more than the usual, at least. I could be cracked.
Mr. WestberryMom is working across the country for a time. The boys' schedules are in flux thanks to the end of the school year. There is sooo much yard work to squeeze in between raindrops!
All the while I'm fascinated by this mismatch between what people say and what others hear.
It happened last weekend, when I was talking to a woman who was estranged from her daughter and grandchildren. We were talking about an incident where a man fell and died, without ever reconciling with his granddaughter. "That would be just terrible," she said.
I hear her say this and wonder why her words don't don't seem to match her behavior. I wonder if she believes what she says. Or maybe my perspective is limited, and I'm not really hearing or understanding.
I try to be very clear in my instructions to students and yet, at least someone in the group will go off in a completely unintended direction because of an assumption or a misunderstanding.
Help me Lord, to be a good listener and a clear speaker. Please give me wisdom and help me see the truth.
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