Communication -- it is not just picking up the telephone anymore

Communication is a funny thing.  I have been reading about connections and staying connected in my current reading material but also thinking about, more specifically, communication.

Yesterday, marked 10 years since I was installed as a Youth Director.  At church last night, I realized this.  It is not something I usually think about, but I had a "duh" moment.  When I mentioned it, Pastor Ralph said "Oh, if I would have known I would have said something at church this morning."  I get that alot.  Many times people say things after the fact and then are upset that you don't just know.  At that moment I laughed and said, "Well, my brain was in another place.  Oh well."

How many times in a week do you say, "If I had only known...?"  I wonder why that is.  For instance, someone will say, "I had a band concert last night.  I wish you could have come."  And my answer then usually is, "Yes that would have been awesome.  If only I had known...."

Communication really is a funny thing.  There are so many times that I say "We missed you last night at XYZ event."  And the typical youth response is "I didn't know."  Even though for most events I send out Facebook notices, emails, text messages, mail and sometimes even phone calls.  For most people, I know their "preferred" communication.

So how do we fix this?  How do we make communication smoother?  How do we make sure that in life we are an effective communicator?  (If anyone has the ultimate answer, I would love to hear it?)  Really it is a two way street.  On the one side, the person has to be willing to share the information.  Of course if you are passed out in a hospital bed, calling the church might be the last thing from your mind.

The other side of it really is that people have to be willing to ask questions.  If you don't see a person for awhile, call or text or WHATEVER.  If you know that something might be coming up in a schedule, ask the questions ahead of time.  (obviously a Christmas concert will probably happen in December.  DUH!)

Communication really is a two way street.  Search out the answers you have.  Find the right information because living in the dark ain't that fun.  But most importantly, admit that you goofed when you goofed.  "Oh, I forgot.  I am so sorry."  "That must have slipped my mind."  "I would have told you but we will work it out next time."

We are not perfect people.  (at least I am not).  We make mistakes of EVERY kind.  This includes communication.

AMEN