Listen

Most conversations seem to be two people waiting for each other to shut up so they can talk.

Listening is more expensive than fine china, apparently. It requires patience, peace, and on days even agape! I know a couple who each want to be in control so badly, who distrust each other’s judgement so much, that they finish most of each other’s sentences to prevent mistakes.

If I really have something important to say, I should want to know you well enough to know how to say it in your language – on your terms – see it make sense in your world.

If I really have something valuable to say, I want you to be in the Spirit so you don’t miss it. That kind of intention and mission means today might not be the day.

I sat in my dad’s yard for half an hour or more a week for months praying that when I had supper with my parents that night I would get to lead them to faith in Jesus for salvation. One night, after the meal, Dad said, “Douglas, I hear people talking about being ‘born again.’ What’s that mean?”

That night, he got it.