Jared and I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Family Dynamics classes taught over the past five weeks by Ben Garrett. Throughout the class we learned about triangulation, boundaries, and patterns of behaviors that exist within families and organizations. Each lesson included Biblical examples of these concepts; my favorite example was the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). This story was used to illustrate triangulation, with Jesus acting as a “non-anxious presence” in the encounter between the woman and the religious leaders. One unique aspect of this class was the “experiments” that we were invited to participate in each week. We spent time identifying a relationship that we found tiring, frustrating, or otherwise difficult, and determined how we would change our behavior or response within that relationship during the week.
The following Sunday we would have the chance to discuss how our experiments went. I was impressed with the depth of discussion and introspection we were invited to share with one another, and further impressed with how the members of the class dove in together with vulnerability and sensitivity. At the end of each of the classes we were dismissed with a benediction; a reading of The Journey by Mary Oliver. The lines of this lovely poem captured the spirit of the class and I encourage anyone to find the poem and read the words. We appreciated the emphasis the poem placed on each of our abilities to change our own attitudes and behaviors. This class helped us understand that seeking health in the relationships of our lives is important, but we cannot change anyone but ourselves. The concepts and perspectives of this class were helpful week by week, and we anticipate continuing to use the lessons gained from these classes in our relationships going forward.
– Jarrett Jackson
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