There are those in our lives that we label as the TMI folks… too much information! Whether it be on social media or in our conversations with them, they seem to reveal information that we would rather not hear or know about. Awkward! It is as if their “social filter” has been damaged or not developed and they do not know when to stop with the details. I know you know who these people are – we all do.

 

I remember being friends with someone on FB quite a while ago and this was the case with him.  He was new to this social media thing, and often posted statuses that were so lengthy it took several scrolls to get through them.  His friends often joked that he didn’t understand the FB unspoken rules – that you posted just snippets of ideas or statement – trying to be concise in your posts.  Not him.  I often got a history lesson in his updates. I guess that is why is doesn’t have a twitter account – he couldn’t handle the limit on characters!

 

I am often the person offering TMI.  

 

Not in an embarrassing way – at least I don’t think it is embarrassing, unless you are our children! I just talk too much!  It’s ok, if you know me personally -you can smile now!  I know I am very verbal.  I don’t know why – I just am.  It helps me to process my thoughts if I can say them out loud – or in the case of this blog – in writing.  And for some reason, I just have A LOT of thoughts?  Doesn’t everybody? Or am I different in that area too?

 

I always liked to play the game with quiet people, the one that you say “penny for your thoughts”.  Ever play that?  Most of the time they can’t tell you? Why? Are they not thinking or are they just not willing to share?  Whatever it is, it is frustrating to me.  I want to talk. I want to exchange ideas. I want to have an academic argument. I call it “stretching my mind”.  

There are lots of things I know nothing about – and I have no problem telling you I am ignorant in those areas.  I also am fully aware that there are so many people who are brighter, more educated and better debaters than I am -and for the most part, that doesn’t threaten me either – because maybe I will learn something.  Politics is one of them – I just don’t get it.  So, I rely on others to “learn me”. Then I try to push what I have heard through my filters of social, moral and religious belief structures and see what I think.

 

But – I know that my sharing is exhausting to some people.

They like the silence. They really don’t want to know the whole process as to how I arrived at a decision – they just want the facts. These people hesitate to engage me because they most likely will get more than what they have asked for in conversation! If they do engage,most of them are kind enough to listen or at least allow me to think they are listening.

 

There are days that I think God is probably tired of my chatter as well.  

 

These days where I am on repeat with Him.  Where I tell the story and all the gorey details about it to Him.  Where I continue to ask or say the same things over and over and wonder why in the world He doesn’t seem to be responding.  “Penny for your thoughts, God?”  Maybe if I give Him more information, He will be able to comment on my life.  

 

Probably not – TMI – even for God.

 

He doesn’t need my prattle – He lovingly listens to it, again and again – but He doesn’t need it. And really, there are times I would be better off not offering it. Not endlessly going on about this and that with Him.  Sometimes, I just need to be quiet. And being quiet doesn’t necessarily mean that will allow me to hear His response.  Because, maybe there is no response yet. Maybe I would actually benefit from the silence.

 

This has become increasingly evident to me as I sit on my patio in the mornings.  I find that I sit longer and longer in the quiet of the morning and just listen to the quiet. There are times that I argue with myself that this is not a productive time, I am not “doing” or “interacting” or “accomplishing”. I think I am wrong. I think I am doing all those things – just differently. In a place where there is no TMI.  In fact – there are even times when there are no thoughts running around in my head. No dialogues, no agendas, no arguments, no to do lists.  This has to be good on some level, right?

 

So – from this TMI person – maybe some silence is good for all of us. Maybe even God would appreciate this from time to time as we seek Him out. Maybe He would like us to just  be with Him…quietly – not asking, not looking for an answer. Just trusting the relationship enough to be together with no expectations.  Not even listening… just being quiet.
Shhhhh….