Hearing With Your Heart
Well, bless your heart, friend, look at you sachetin’ up on this ol’ front porch like a curious lil’ ol’ squirrel that finally found the one human who won’t chase it off the steps. Come on in and mind that ol’ rooster struttin’ around over yonder like it plum owns the deed to the whole property. Pull up a real comfy rocker, let the breeze settle your thoughts, and get ready because we’re about to be moseyin’ into a truth that can sho’nuff’ soften a heart faster than butter meltin’ on a hot biscuit.
We read, “To answer before listening, that is folly and shame” in Proverbs 18:13. And James 1:19 tells us, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” God knew we’d need twice the listenin’ and half the talkin’ if we ever hoped to love folks well.
Now friend, let me tell you about my grandpa. He had bow legs so wide it looked like he was tryin’ to hug the whole county with his knees. Every afternoon he would shuffle down the dirt road toward his garden, harmonica tucked in his shirt pocket, movin’ slow and steady like he had all the time in the world. One day I followed him, talkin’ a mile a minute about every worry I had. Grandpa never interrupted. He just kept walkin’, lettin’ the gravel crunch under his shoes. When we reached the garden, he finally stopped, leaned on his hoe, and said, “Girl, sometimes the soil don’t need you to stir it. It needs you to stand still long enough to know what it’s tryin’ to tell you.” Then, he played a soft tune on that harmonica, and I realized he’d been listenin’ the whole time. Not fixin’. Not explainin’. Just listenin’. And somehow that quiet attention did more for my heart than any advice he could’ve given.
Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” And here’s where Proverbs 10:8 fits right in saying, “The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.” God ain’t subtle. He is plum tellin’ us that listenin’ is love with its boots on.
Father, teach us to listen with patience and kindness. Help us close our mouths long enough to hear the hearts You place in front of us. Give us wisdom to know when to speak and courage to stay quiet when silence is the better gift. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Goodness gracious, friend, I’m so pleasured that you came by today. As you leave off from this place and git back into your day, keep your ears open like a lil’ deer standin’ alert in a meadow. Make sure your words are gentle enough to soothe a skittish lil’ ol’ colt and rare enough to make folks lean in when you finally speak. Let your heart stay tender, your tongue stay tamed, and your love shine bright enough to guide someone through their own tangled woods. Now go on, friend, and listen your way into being someone’s sweet blessin’ today.
With joy,
Gwen
