A QUIET TONGUE
 

A QUIET TONGUE

Lord, a revealing fact
Began to surface today:
I talk more than I listen.
I seem to be thoroughly convinced
That my ideas
My inspiring experiences
My bits of wisdom
Are exactly what all my friends need.
Too often I break into conversations
Confident that my enlightened insight Will solve the predica ment-
Whatever it is.
Obviously, I feel more comfortable
When I'm expounding.

But this morning at a Bible study
I cringed when I read Your command
In the first chapter of James:
"Don't ever forget
That it is best to listen much
Speak little, and not become angry."
At first I wanted to run.
But as the words kept battering away
At my guilty heart
I finally circled them with red ink.
Now, Lord, please help me to obey them.
Remind me daily, hourly
That listening is a discipline
And a discipline always costs.
I know I must pay a price.
The price for me
Is a listening ear
And a quiet tongue.

[LORD COULD YOU HURRY A LITTLE? By Ruth Harms Calkin pg 81]