Listen...listen...listen!!

Good morning and how are you?
I pray all is well with you and you families!!

Today's bold print is found in chapter 18, verse 13, in the NIV version:

Prov 18:13
"He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame."

We all do it: someone starts to tell us something and we finish their sentence in our mind, or we think we know where they are going...and we jump right in there -- usually mouth first, followed by "foot in mouth" disorder. One of the greatest things we have to learn to do as leaders is to LISTEN first then speak. When someone comes to us and wants to talk, they want to be heard first!! They want to vent - to get it all out...

We can really make a fool of ourselves ("that is HIS folly") when we don't listen first, but we ALSO tell the person that came to us that we don't really care about them!! What do I mean? If we REALLY cared about them instead of trying to be impressive, we would listen to want they are saying and "hear their heart"!! That is why Proverbs repeatedly teaches us to control our mouths!!! (Example Prov. 17:27-28)

Well, make a wise choice today and everyday:

1. Listen...

2. Listen...

3. Listen AGAIN...

4. Then Speak!!

God Bless you!!