The Big Payoff

 It wasn’t just the 105* weather that was scorching hot that Sunday afternoon. The tension between mother and son had been building for over a month and was ready to erupt like a volcano. Joey and Sara (names changed for anonymity) had always had a strong mother-son relationship. Joey, now 20, was home for the summer from college and was staying with Sara and her new husband. They were aware this new dynamic could pose difficulties, and so they joined one of our 5 Conversations for Healthy Relationships small groups to prepare themselves. Generally people join  after issues are already present, so Tom and I were thrilled to see a proactive stance. Boy, did that decision pay off!​

Using the techniques and verbiage he had learned and role-played during small group, Joey approached Sara. “Mom, I know there’s a lot of tension between us right now, so I am asking you to know my heart first and foremost. I feel we need to have a ‘conversation 3 and 4’ which can be very intense, yet I feel without confronting the situation we are not going to have an opportunity to reach a resolution.”
Sara recognized immediately the verbiage Joey was using came from the small group. That recognition softened Sara’s frustration and opened her to hearing what her son was saying. Like Joey, she too had learned, and even role-played, how to have tough conversations. She knew being willing to have ‘conversations 3 and 4’ tells the other person, ‘You and this relationship matter enough to me that even if it’s uncomfortable, I am willing to dive into this with you.’ That’s how healing happens!
Later, Joey shared with Tom and I, “Instead of embracing frustration and hurt, 5 Conversations for Healthy Relationships offered my mom and I an opportunity to drop the weapons of hurt and really hear each other.” Sara added, “Growing up I could never have had a healing conversation like this with my parents. Joey and I trusted God as we dove into the deep end of the pool. We didn’t drown, and we actually ended up sharing a life preserver for our relationship. It was really neat to go back and share the experience with our group.”
WOW! Innovative Truth Partners you have done it again! This is just one example of your support saving a Godly relationship! A Young Singles small group is starting soon. The Seniors Group is open to new participants. And college groups are preparing as well. Interested in forming your own group or joining an established group, call us!

​                                                                           With love,

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