My Mind or Yours?

I was described the other day as an opinionated, tell-it-like-it-is but safe person to talk to. I didn't know whether or not to take that as a compliment, but it felt more like a sort of.

I like that I"m thought of as a straight shooter. I just don't like game playing when it comes to communication and relational interaction. I swore off that kind of garbage back in junior high when Sally wanted us to be mad at Susie and then by the time the word got around to everyone, Sally was friends with Susie again and we all looked like dopes.

I really like being thought of as a safe haven. I want to reflect God's care and concern for us because He is such a safe and secure refuge.

But opinionated? I'd like to pass that off to maturity ~ you know ~ been around the block kind of stuff. I'd like to think that maybe I just stand out as someone who speaks her convictions, even if they are unpopular. But I must admit that opinionated is something my entire family can cop a plea to. Yes, we have a thought about most everything and I must admit we can be a bit overbearing. Okay, maybe sometimes even more than a bit, especially when the whole gang gets together.

Does that go contrary to my desire to be humble in who I am? Let's get the dictionary in on this. To be opinionated means to hold stubbornly and often unreasonably to one's own opinions. To be humble means to be modest, to show deferential respect, to be lacking in high station, be unpretentious. I believe the Greek word for humble means strength under control.

I think I answered my own question. Ouch.