My mother and my oldest sister Agnes both gave birth to boys at about the same time. Although they were the same age, Mark was actually David’s uncle. One day the two boys got into an argument.
“He’s my Dad!”
“He’s my Grandpa.”
“My Dad!”
“My Grandpa!”
They were both right.
I am right. Of course I am. The way I see things is the way that it is. There is no other option—no other way to view a specific issue. When I allow this attitude to control my thinking, I introduce contention into a relationship.
Often my way of viewing a situation or accomplishing something is not the only way. While I may not change my opinion or my actions, I need to be willing to listen to another’s ideas and feelings. “I don’t see it that way,” is a lot better phrase than “You’re wrong.” I need to acknowledge that just as I am not obligated to change my thinking or my actions to match the feelings of another, I cannot expect them to change to what I believe to be right. I can choose to be a peacemaker.