But what if accessing and expressing compassion is not something that comes naturally to you?

Does it matter?

Guest Writer: my husband, Justin Bradbury

If we’re honest, a lot of us are living life on the defensive. Fearful, we attack and diminish others, if not out loud, then under our breath.

Would you rather hang out with someone who acts compassionately towards you, who genuinely desires to see you grow and flourish?

Or someone who is out for themselves, who selfishly schemes and postures to get ahead?

Guest Writer: my husband, Justin Bradbury

If the image of God is our truest self, is that identity clear in us?

Guest Writer: my husband, Justin Bradbury

We speak of poor connectivity when our technology coverage is threatened. More patchy, still, can be our human relationships and our true-worth relationship with God and ourselves. Instability and insecurity stalk us by our own consent. Technology is both a boon and a threat in our hands. Social media is making us less social, more flimsily connected and isolated from each  other.

But, what if, rather than feeling a sense of permanence, we struggle with being disjointed? It’s a sense of separation from ourselves and others. Even from God. We can feel fragmented.  Disconnected.

There was a time in my life, in my late 30s and early 40s, when it seemed God was more impersonal. I didn’t understand very much about being created in the image of God.

God’s image doesn’t exist solely in the man alone or the woman alone. But, fully, in the woman and man together. United.

I think so much of our division and disunity as men and women stems from a warped view.

Oftentimes while we wait for God’s vision to come about, others may come alongside us with encouraging messages. They are meant to be infused with hope and substance.

With any vision from God, there’s waiting. Yet, we struggle with it. I don’t think it's popular.  Or something we like.  Desire.  Or seek.

It’s easy for us to daydream, isn’t it? God, on the other hand, is not a daydreamer. He creates visions.

To believe God for something significant can feel foolish. Especially when we see no movement. Or the circumstances actually seem to be going in the opposite direction of the desire.

I’ve been offline. Intentionally quiet. Silently reflecting for several months.

Let’s be real, forgiveness is not easy.

Is it really possible to choose to forgive someone over offense?

Who doesn’t need to experience forgiveness? To feel freed from someone’s criticism and anger? From their guilt and accusation?

I think it’s important to keep the conversation about offense real. To continue to look into our own inner lives. And think about the ways we relate to those in our relationships who are offending us.

Offense is at the heart of our world events at the moment. It is screaming out in conversations about the Middle East. Yelling for a reaction. Crying out for people to take sides. Insisting on a reaction and revenge.

What or who offends you?

When we’re offended, our response is almost always negative. Cutting. Even abusive.

For months this question has been rolling around inside my head.

Is it the press and stress of finances?

Or a seemingly lost relationship?

Is it the feeling of unhappiness at work?

Or the sense of fading dreams?

Is it a child going his/her own way?

Or aging parents?

What immediately comes to mind?