Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

(James 1:19 NIV)

The story is told of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who often had to endure long receiving lines at the White House. After years of smiling and shaking hands, he began to suspect that most people weren’t actually listening to what he said. To test his theory, he decided to try a little experiment.

During one reception, as each guest came down the line, Roosevelt greeted them pleasantly and murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” Without missing a beat, the guests responded cheerfully with comments like, “Marvelous! Keep up the good work! We’re proud of you, Mr. President!” and “God bless you, sir.”

Only at the end of the line did anyone seem to hear him. The ambassador from Bolivia paused, leaned in, and whispered, “I’m sure she had it coming.”

The story is humorous, but it reveals something true about human nature: we’re not very good at listening. Many of us have felt the frustration of saying, “Nobody ever listens to me!”  But if we’re honest, we might have to admit that we’re often the ones who don’t really listen to others. We nod our heads, make polite noises, and wait for our turn to talk, but genuine listening — listening with understanding, patience, and empathy — is rare.

James understood this human tendency when he wrote, “Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” God calls us to listen — not only to him, but to one another.

Genuine listening requires humility. It means setting aside our distractions, our opinions, and our desire to be heard so that someone else can be truly seen and understood. When we listen, we communicate something powerful: You matter. What you think, feel, and experience is worth my time and attention.

I encourage you today to put your phone down, turn off the TV, and give someone your full attention.  Ask questions.  Listen without interrupting.  Show them that you value what they have to say.  You might be surprised at how much relationships can grow from something as simple as listening.  Who needs to be heard today?

Prayer: Lord, teach me to listen with patience and love. Help me to slow down and give others the attention and compassion they deserve. May my ears be quick to hear, my words few, and my heart open to understanding.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day