First thought

Proverbs 18:13 NKJV — He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

Not long ago I was listening to a sermon and after reading this verse the pastor said:

“Don’t let your first thought be your final answer.” Pastor H.

Nice.

The first thought, the first impression, and that first reaction, are often less than the whole picture.

It requires time and attention to get to the actual kernel: the point in most conversations.

Yet, it’s not uncommon to bite into the first words which register upon the brain.

To begin to “chew” on that first bite, only to discover we have a mouthful of misunderstanding, tasteless and disappointing for either party.

No one wants to be only “somewhat” listened to.

Yet, it’s probable, that most people at one time have “answer(ed) a matter before he hears it,” Proverbs 18:13 (past tense added).

What is even easier than jumping to a conclusion?

Speaking without grasping the point.

We must guard against both assuming we completely understand without listening and to refrain from answering quickly.

Proverbs 10:8 NKJV — The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.

Prating foolishness is easy if one speaks before they grasp the point.

Proverbs 13:15 NKJV — Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

How does one truly understand if one has not spent time listening? Especially, when it comes to listening to the Lord.

Proverbs 21:2 NKJV — Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

Not every conversation we have will require diligence to unearth the matter, but all the words we speak should be weighed by us before uttering.

Matthew 12:36 KJV — But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

It’s worthwhile to learn to listen, and most valuable to tame our tongue.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for teaching us the importance of self discipline, especially when it comes to conversation. Lord, please place a guard upon my mouth, and let me not sin against You. Lord, please help me not to be arrogant or impatient with others, assuming I know what they are talking about without giving them the courtesy of my attention. Please, help me to be careful with what I say. Lord, I want to love like You do. I want to speak words of encouragement. Please help me to do so and to truly listen to those around me. Thank You. Amen.

A gentle reminder

Despite the fact that flowers bloom every Spring.

Despite the truth that the sun is shining even when it can’t be seen.

Despite the gentle little reminders of God’s greatness and love sprinkled throughout each day.

Fear
is
still
an
enemy
to
trust.

The new,
uncertain,
foreign territory,
can breed fear.

The questions
of others,
the logic of the circumstances,
the harsh facts,
can all stand in the path,
Warning of danger if …

Yet,
for the heart,
which hears the Father calling,
feels the pull into
the path,
to know all the “what ifs”
yet
deep inside knows
to ignore the call
would be to close the ear
to God Almighty,
it is a choice.

What will the future hold?

Why are you doing this?

Will you obey the call of the Lord?

As an added vitamin for the soul,
I flipped my Bible open this morning to this verse.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short
That it cannot save;
Nor is His ear so dull
That it cannot hear.”  Is. 59:1

For my own path,
My own questions,
I have answered:
I will go.

Despite the questions.

Despite the uncertainty.

Despite the fear of the unknown.

God is always present and able to save me no matter the circumstances.

How could I possibly be safer than in His will, walking His path,  trusting in His Word? 

Silent

Lately I’ve had the chance to learn what it is like to not be heard.

My phone rings

I answer.

“Hello,…hello?”

I reply.

“He-lloo…hello. Can you hear me? I can’t hear you…”

I continue to reply.

“WELL, I can’t hear anything—“

CLICK

I call them back and they answer, “Hello”

I begin to speak and

“HELLO?”

CLICK

It has been a couple of days this way as I wait for a new phone to arrive and my family and friends have adjusted. It goes like this:

“Hello, I know you can’t answer so I am going to hope you can hear me. I’m calling to let you know…”

And I listen and then act as best I can to the information given.

It makes me think about two things.

First, those who are unable to respond for one reason or another to the world around them. I have tried to pray for a few people I know who are in that position as I experience the frustration of not being able to respond. I’ve noticed that I am receiving far less calls. Why try if I can’t talk to them? I think to myself how often I’ve chosen to skip time spent to speak to someone who cannot respond. I didn’t think about the fact that they might like to be spoken to, to be noticed, to be loved, even just to hear a friendly “hello!”. My condition is temporary; when my new phone gets here I will again have a voice. But the people I know shall continue in theirs, possibly for the rest of their lives.

Second, is I am learning to listen. I am being forced to hear first and act later. Instead of putting in my opinions, my thoughts, my agenda, I am simply listening to the person who took time out of their day to speak to me.

So during this time of silence I am praying to remember:

1.       Stop and speak to those who are unable to respond instead of passing by. Pray for those who are hindered that the Lord will speak directly to their hearts.

2.       Take time to listen. Think about what is being shared. Hold my tongue and actions until the person has finished.

My friends, family, and I have been inconvenienced by this problem with my phone. I have had to put off some tasks and readjust but I am sure that it has been a worthwhile problem. For now I know a little of what it is like to be

Silent.