Wow. Both those words ARE spelled with the same, exact letters.
Coincidence? I think not!
In order to LISTEN I have to be SILENT.
My problem is that I like to solve problems.
I want to make things better.
I want to intervene before the mistake.
I want to divert catastrophe.
I want to share my hard learned lessons.
I want to make other people's lives easier.
If people (and by people, I mean my people- the ones who are stuck with me by blood relation!) would just listen to me, I could help them and fix them and make everything better!
But the reality is, when I have something difficult in my life, what I long for is a hug from someone who cares enough about me to take the time to LISTEN to me. The last thing I want is a bunch of fix-it information from a well meaning know-it-all.
So why do I think the people in my life would want anything different?
God knows our hearts and what we need. And what we need to NOT do. That is why He said:
"Let EVERYONE by quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger" Jms. 1:19
Which, in my vernacular, would be God saying, "Shut up and listen!"So to all my "people"- I am sorry.
I am sorry I talk too much.
I am sorry I listen too little.
I am sorry I rush in with advice.
I am sorry that I don't take the time to listen and pray before I say ANYTHING.
Winston Churchill said:
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
So here is to having the courage to sit down and listen!
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