"Say nothing, and someone may think you are wise" Job 13:5

I managed to get my kids out to church this morning. This feat certainly deserves some kind of mom award, if such things existed. The kids actually behaved, and Scott managed to stay awake, so all in all it was a good service.

The main theme of the sermon today was listening with a focus on Chapter 13 from the Book of Job. I thought this was quit an appropriate passage for me. Lord knows, there are many times where I fail horribly at listening to those around me.

Religious or not, Christian or not, the passage from Job is a good one. After losing everything he has, including his wife, children, possessions, and health, Job's friends sit with him for 7 days in silence. But as soon as Job begins to talk about how he feels his friends feel the need to interject with their personal thoughts. This pushes Job pretty much over the edge. His retort" Your proverbs are as useless as ashes. Your arguments as weak as clay. Be quiet and give me a chance to speak! And let the results be what they will!"

In a nutshell, sometimes you need to just shut up, realize it's not always about you, and listen to what someone else has to say. Let them cry, bitch, mourn, and work out their feelings. Just be there to listen. Sometimes it's the wisest thing you can do.