By Betsy Ore Glass

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind.I Peter 3:8 NIV

One day, the water is calm and then with a strong wind and tides, the water becomes choppy and strong. I’ve seen a quiet morning turn into a stormy afternoon with waves taking over the beach accompanied by enormous sea foam. Amazing to me that change can come so quickly. And then, the raging storm of waves subsides and the sea is calm again. It is exciting and thrilling to me to see what the water looks like each day.

Like a calm sea that gives way to a storm of waves, it seems to me our world today is full of differences. There’s fighting with words. Actions taken. Assumptions made and the differences grow wider than a strengthening hurricane in the Atlantic. “Listen more and talk less,” is what my mother always said. I believe she was right. But let’s face it, some people are just plain disagreeable! They will take the opposing side of anything to feed their desire for debate.

What side should we choose? The calm waters or the choppy storm waters. If harsh words stir the water, we could avoid them. To provoke someone into a debate is fool’s folly. But to listen, learn about the reasons for a person’s emotions and convictions is important. We don’t have to agree, but to be respectful will promote an environment with healthy exchange. Something that has been on my mind lately . . . do my words and actions glorify God. That is my measuring stick.

Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. You can reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com or read additional Reflections at www.betsyoreglass.com.

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