Hi ya! Come on in we are going to have a delightful time together with a cuppa in hand.
Today we are reflecting upon perceptions & expectations in relationships!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the above statement, “They’ve got my back!”, which always concerns me, as a certain dynamic is at play here.
Let’s grab our cuppa’s & get settled, mine is a Ginger & Apple herbal tea. I also have a delicious mini gf Lamington as a treat.
Let me ask you a question of the above photo on the right,
What color do you see the Azalea blooms to be?
Let me know your answer in the comments below, I’m interested to know because color perceptions are unique to each person.
My hubby perceives these to be one color & I perceive them to be another.
We have different color perceptions which is something we have noticed since being together.
However this perceptual difference can also be seen in other areas of our relationship.
As in any relationship whether it be martial, familial or friendship perceptions will vary & differ for each individual within the dynamics of the relationship.
For we develop our perceptions throughout life through our unique family backgrounds, cultural heritage, education, personality, spiritual beliefs, emotional development & life experience.
I’ve had many discussions both personally & professionally throughout the years on perceptual difference.
These variations can cause a great deal of misunderstanding, heartbreak & communication break down in relationships.
Because most relationships develop through attraction to like minded people, who have something in common through certain held beliefs.
Such as political, spiritual, cultural backgrounds or interests but each individual will also bring something unique to the relationship.
Therefore, as we believe the Other has similar values, ethical standards or ways of doing things we can mistakenly think they perceive & understand our set of values that we place upon the relationship.
Especially in the role we see them playing.
Now those of us who have been married or in a relationship at any stage in our life know that the Language of relationships… can be vastly different to what we first believed.
Which can lead to all types of misunderstandings.
Likewise, individualized perceptions can do the same, as in the title of this reflection,”They’ve got my back!”.
The expectations of that statement are huge!
One person is expecting the Other person to defend, support, assist & unconditionally be there for them in every situation.
But what does that mean in real terms?
Blind loyalty?
Unconditional support, but what does that look like?
Does it mean they are expected to defend you even when they believe you’re in the wrong or may have no idea of the circumstances surrounding what they are expected to defend?
What does it actually mean to them?
Do they even know you have this expectation in the relationship?
Are you expecting them to distance or cut off mutual friends or family members when you have been offended, hurt or rejected by those people?
Have you thought about what their core values & principles may be for relationships?
&
What is God calling them to do in the relationship?
You see we take many things for granted thinking the other person already knows how we think & what we expect.
But often they don’t.
Or they may perceive something entirely different on the same value, principle or expectation.
Like hubby & I on the color of the Azalea blooms.
We are both looking at the same plant, in the same garden, in the same light at the same moment but hubby perceives light red & I deep apricot!
And each of us believe the color we are perceiving is correct because we see through our individualized perception.
I learnt long ago that there’s only One who truly has my back & that is my Heavenly Father.
Because put simply, people are fallible they will let us down & we them!
But our Heavenly Father’s assurance is…
“…He will give His Angels charge concerning you, to guard you wherever you go!”
Psalm 91:11
Don’t place an impossible expectation on your spouse, friend or loved one to always have your back, when only the Creator God can fulfill that role my friend.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2019 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog. All Rights Reserved & Pexels.com
Tea With Jennifer 
I see a reddish coral color.
I am grateful that God has my back and that is something I can always believe in.
Thank you Mary. Yes it’s a great assurance & such a comfort 😀
I see pinkish coral.
Thank you Michelle for joining in, I find it a great exercise to highlight our differences in color perceptions & life perceptions in general. Lovely having you drop by 😀
Like many of the others, I see coral! It is interesting how we can all see colour in such different ways. Your post is so full of wisdom. It is important to remember that others see things differently and may not always understand our perspective or expectations. And I agree, God is the only one who truly has our back in every situation.
Thank you for your kind words Lesley! Yes, everyone perceives differently even though a majority of commentators here see the color coral the shades & tones would varying to each individual 😉
It is important to acknowledge our differing perceptions in relationships as it helps to bring understanding, clarity, empathy & alleviates many misunderstandings.
Lovely having you drop by 😀
I’d call the flowers ‘salmon’-colored ;). My husband and one daughter see a certain color of green as grey, and my other daughter and I see it as green. We have lively family discussions on our perceptions ;). I see this loyalty based on perceptions working out in terrible ways in the lives of my students. They are extremely loyal to each other. A conversation I had with an inebriated to the point of needing to be hospitalized youngster went like this: “Where did you get the vodka?” “My friends gave it to me.” “If they are really your friends, would they give you vodka (the youngster is 15)?” Because the vodka giver is perceived as a ‘friend’ the youngster believes that drinking it must be ok. It’s heart-breaking.
Salmon colored, thank you Anita. Yes, the perception of what constitutes loyalty can be difficult with many age groups & subcultures actually. Your experience with that young student is heartbreaking Anita.
I see coral with a touch of white. Yes, perceptions are a little bit like feelings in the sense that they are not necessarily facts. This is something I have had to learn and accept. Thank you for sharing with us at Grace & Truth Link-Up. I love seeing your post there each week. Maree
Thank you Maree! Yes, perceptions are truth to that person though. It’s a pleasure to be a part of the Grace & Truth community 😀