“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
–Proverbs 17: 27-28
I usually tend to think that I have something to say.
But the truth is, I speak much too often.
I’ve heard it time and time again throughout my life,
yet it still hasn’t clicked.
Last night, when I arrived in Titanyen, a group of four Haitian pastors were staying in the same quarters as me. I vowed to speak only Creole unless I was absolutely stuck.
They were here on retreat to get away and reset a bit – exactly what I have been praying of my time here. These men ate together, sang together, played dominoes together, sat under the tree together, and picked on me… together.
What I learned from them wasn’t that I spoke Creole half decent, it was that I have little to say.
You see, these guys were comical, but when they spoke it was valuable and the others listened.
Lately, I have regretfully noticed that sometimes, unless your value to me is much, I don’t always listen too well. This usually looks like me talking. And if you know me, that’s not always a good thing.
This is what happened: I vowed to speak only Creole, thus I had to listen, a lot.
When we view the value God has for His creation – their stories, their hearts – not what they have, we tend to listen.
In my sitting with these men, I was reminded of a favorite movie scene of mine – Antonio Banderas sat with the foreigners in the 13th Warrior and listened until he learned their language. He listened intently – not all that was said was useful, but he listened and soaked up what was necessary. He didn’t speak until he knew he had something to say.
I’m sure you can tell that this isn’t at all about me learning Haitian Creole.
It’s about me learning to keep my mouth shut, listening with intent, and speaking when necessary.
Sometimes I figure it might be easier if I couldn’t talk.
But that would just make life easier wouldn’t it?
To be honest, I give up!
It’s time it clicks dadgummit!
God, I want to steward my mouth well, see Your value in people, and bend a wise ear to Your kids.
You seem to value us, that’s why You listen.
