Are YOU agreeable?

Over the past 6 months I have had the opportunity to interact with people in Ireland - while making reservations and purchasing an Irish Dance Dress there have been many emails back and forth.  One statement that struck me as humorous on several occasions was the question, "Are you agreeable?".  This was always asked when a price was given or a negotiation was in place.  Every time I read this phrase I was tickled inside - after reading it one more time this morning I began thinking on it and wondering why it stuck with me.  "Are you agreeable?", the phrase we commonly use is, "Is that ok with you?"  I have decided I like "are you agreeable" much better.  The person is not asking is that want you want or are you ok with this, but are you agreeable to it - will you agree and be content with the decision.

Raising teenagers I find myself saying a lot - "Just get along", or "Just do what I ask without arguing" - the tendency for anyone trying to assert their independence is to push through their ideas or "get their way" - I am very familiar with this on a personal level.  But to be agreeable --- now that is something we should all strive for.  To be agreeable does not mean we have to compromise our belief structure or values we hold dear - To be agreeable does not mean we have to give up being independent, in fact I think being agreeable allows me to have more independence and control over my emotions and desires because I can just agree that in a certain situation this scenario will work, and it doesn't have to be my way.  I should repeat, "It doesn't have to be my way".

We learned a lot about each other on our family trip to Ireland - 2 weeks, 5 people and a smart car forces that education.  And we learned we can
be agreeable - some of us tend to be more agreeable than others - but we are working on it and training to be more agreeable.

James 3:17 -But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

I think this verse in James shows it well - the wisdom From above (God) is agreeable - I desire to be more agreeable - I'm working on that - how about you, "are you agreeable?"