Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak

There is a story about a Canadian man who left in the dead of winter for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and planned to meet up with him the following day. When he reached his hotel, he sent his wife a quick email. Unfortunately, in typing in her address, he missed one letter and his note was misdirected. Instead of reaching his wife, it went to an elderly preacher’s wife, whose husband had passed away only the day before. 

When the grieving widow checked her email, she let out a scream and fell to the floor in a faint. At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen: “Dearest Wife, Just got checked in. Everything is prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P.S. Sure is hot down here!”

Communication mix-ups can be disastrous! The right message given to the wrong person or given at the wrong time can cause serious misunderstandings. Email and text messages can be the worst – because they can be sent so rapidly without thought. Also, when we cannot see or hear the emotion behind the words, it is easy to misinterpret. 

Whether it is a phone call, letter, email, text, direct message, or face-to-face communication, the Bible has good advice. James wrote: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Paul encourages, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

I’ve certainly found, a thoughtful pause before I communicate, is never a bad idea. When upset or angry, the more time the better. In whatever fashion they come – may our words truly give grace to those who hear.

Let us pray: God our savior, Hope of the ends of the earth and the farthest seas, you have blessed us so richly. I pray today, that you would use us to bless others – even with our words. May we always be open to your calling, and to your sending. Help us to love as we are loved, and to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to serve as we have been served – in Jesus Christ. Amen.