If you have listened to the podcast for any length of time, you likely have recognized a pattern in our questions. We typically move through the same general topics and we end our discussion talking about community amongst women and how we can learn from one another. You also have heard me say many many times that my hope for The Art of Home listeners is that they will be inspired by the podcast to seek out relationships with other women in their church or community who are in different stages of life so they can learn from and support each other.
Several listeners have taken up that challenge by conducting homemaker portrait interviews of the women around them. I think this is an excellent idea to build meaningful bridges with women who are in different stages or different circumstances. Entering into another woman's story will grow empathy, compassion and grace in our hearts and will combat our tendency towards tribalism and judgement. You can use the questions we ask on the podcast, or come up with your own questions. How you go about this and with whom is entirely up to you. But here are a few suggestions and guidelines to consider: Are You Listening, or Waiting to Talk? We have all been guilty of asking someone a question, then zoning out thinking about what we want to say next instead of really listening to the person's answer with the intent to understand and ask follow up questions. Be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19). One-on-One or Round Table Consider the value of one-on-one conversation and a group discussion. If you or your friend are not comfortable with the intimacy and vulnerability of a one-on-one interview, consider gathering a small group of women to share and discuss answers to a few of these questions. Make it a Habit Whether you meet one-on-one or in a group, you could use the main sections of questions as your theme for a monthly meeting time. Set up a schedule to meet once a month and discuss the questions by section. So, your first meeting you would talk about "Beginnings and Learning Curves". Both, or all if doing a roundtable, can share their answers from this section. This will help you empathize with the other, learn more about them as a person, and learn things that will impact your own story of home. Use it for Prayer and Action As you grow in your knowledge of another's story of home, use that knowledge to take action. Pray for one another. Help one another in practical ways. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
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