Healing Family Relationships Through ListeningSample

God's instruction to James is completely contrary to my nature. I am quick to speak and slow to listen. I often catch myself, while in a conversation with a friend or family member, giving half of my attention to what they are saying, while the other half of my brain is formulating what I am going to say as soon as they are done.

I remember an incident when my son was two years old. I was holding him while I was walking around the house. In my left hand, I had my phone and was scrolling through email, the news, and whatever else. He was talking up a storm, as much as a two-year-old can, and I was responding with "Yeah, uh-huh. Yeah, uh-huh..." Truth be told, I wasn't listening to anything he was saying. When he realized what was going on, he reached up and grabbed my cheek, pulled my face away from my phone, and firmly said, "Daddy, please look at my eyes when I am talking to you."

God calls us to be quick to listen. This is such a simple act, yet it can have profound effects on our relationships. When we truly listen to our family members, they feel valued, respected, and loved. Today, commit to being fully present with someone in your family–no phones, no distractions, just your complete attention.

Reflection Question: How might your family relationships change if you became "quick to listen and slow to speak?"