Scripture: Proverbs 18:13
Those who answer before they listen are foolish and disgraceful.
Thought for the Day: I would agree with the author of the Proverb, though I would add that it is not just foolish and disgraceful, but unhelpful and potentially hurtful. I slipped away to Camp Allen (Episcopal Retreat Center) for two nights of study and prayer. The first thing I did was reread Anne Lamott’s short book, Stitches. Early in the book she is talking about those who are suffering and hurting. She writes:
We sit with them in their hopeless pain and feel terrible with them, without trying to fix them with platitudes; doing this with them is just about the most gracious gift we have to offer. We give up what we think we should be doing, or think we need to get done, to keep them company.
It is said over and over again, but it is good to be reminded that our job is not to fix people. It is simply to be a quiet presence; a hint of God’s loving presence. And talking too much without listening may have the hurting people wishing they were alone. Just saying…
Prayer: Remind me again and again about what’s really important in life. Remind me, O Good and Gracious God, for I want to be helpful and not an irritant to those who are really hurting. Amen.
TONIGHT – BE THERE
