LOVING COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE LENS OF I COR.13

If I speak with the tongues of
Impeccable elocution and rhetorical quintessence,
But fail to lovingly communicate,
I am a tool of confusion and a threat to dialogue.

If I master the English language
Reflecting the eloquence of Cicero,
Or capture a breath of Shakespearian splendor,
And fail to lovingly communicate,
I haven't gained a thing.

Real communication begins with one's self,
Through patience: learning the art of listening.
Through kindness: not rudely interrupting.
Never forcing your own opinions,
As if you had a corner on all truth,
Or repelling the opinions of others.

Really, communication shows up
In accepting people as they are.
In listening without making one feel stupid,
And being able to share the feelings of others.

Communication expresses concern,
When someone else is talking.
Is glad when a constructive idea is presented,
And works toward a correct syllogism,
Through loving dialogue.

Communication involves:
Pooling all suggested ideas.
Recognizing individual effort in the process,
Being sensitive to the Spirit's direction,
And waiting for God's timing in concluding the matter.

Loving communication never fails.
But as for poor attitudes,
They build barriers.
As for catchy phrases and vague generalities,
They reveal hidden prejudices.
As for meaningless cliches, they impede progress.

For man's communicative skills change,
As the mask of selfishness is removed,
By the Son-Light of God's immeasurable love.

My words, thoughts and actions,
Since childhood days,
Are only memory-scars,
That I'm leaving behind.

For though I tend to see issues
Through the mirrored reflection of past failures,
God's metamorphic grace,
Helps me to piece the communication puzzle in a new Light.
And then I begin to understand it better,
Just as God so perfectly understands me.

So then:
Truthful words can set the stage for dialogue.
Correct phrasing can ease the mind.
But only loving communication changes the heart.
---B. Pent