danger in assumption

the tagline to my blog has been a line from a book i read called The Active Life by Parker Palmer. it deals with a dangerous assumption - that we are alone, and that there is not enough for our needs. In a community, and especially in the Christian community, there is more than enough! We are in a place of abundance even though we might feel alone and thus assume based on that emotional response...

assumption in ANY context is very dangerous.

i have been the victim of assumption because of my place in public ministry. for various reasons that can be broken down psychologically and analyzed from a counseling standpoint, people derive a kind of pleasure from assuming things about me character and ministry, and then talking about that.
i am thankful for the few who have actually talked to ME about these assumptions.
but a second-hand "fact" (isn't that an oxymoron?) recounted in passing conversation does not allow for an accurate assumption (again, an oxymoron...)

i have nothing to hide, especially from the Christian community.

i am not fond of dealing with the effects of others' assumptions in my life and relationships. frank, honest communication is the answer, and the doorway to abundance...