As a Birthday Gift to Him

“Should you pick up this book, be warned that you may walk away slower to speak, slower to anger, and quicker to listen,” writes Jason Cook in a review of a book on race relations.

We could use those three improvements in all aspects of human relations.

I’ve recently been with our son, whose birthday is today, while he worked to get words out.

I’ve seen his embarrassment when people impatiently spoke into his frustrated silence. Even if they were “trying to be helpful,” they weren’t helping him. Having them finish his sentences and his thoughts for him often just made his situation worse.

As a birthday gift to him, next time you and I encounter someone whose words are caught somewhere, let’s be “slower to speak” ourselves and “quicker to listen” to that other person.

Or as was said long ago, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19). Did you notice what the New Testament lists first there?

Our son Joseph and all the others in our lives have a lot to say.

Let’s learn to listen.