Listen

As a Christian I don’t have a very good track record. Apparently the ten commandments are a, ‘NOT to do’ list, and not so much a ‘to do’ list. I look back on the last 40 years, and realize, that evil in all of its twisted forms, is something that is done by me, to someone else. I am supposed to value others, and not hurt them. When I find myself in a verbal volley with an adversary, my instinct is to inflict as much verbal damage as possible. Our exchange mimics the ancient sea battles with wooden ships, and belching cannons. What is the cost behind words? You have to judge, (aim) then hate, (load gunpowder) and not care about the hurt you are about to inflict on someone else, (fire!). The handle side of the weapon often feels less pain than the bloodied recipient. Words are weapons. Who’s side do I fight for? As a burning ship sinks, why do I find joy? Does taking something away from someone with criticism and lies help make me better? No, it simply shows I am worse.

Every human on this Earth has a backstory, a history, a perspective, and a soul. If I truly care about them, and who made them, then why don’t my words reflect that? Do my words take something away, with my witty observation of physical defects, and social choices? Or do my words offer hope, with my perspective of their value, to me, to the world, to God? To immerse myself with the struggles of another person, will silence my gaping cannon of my mouth, leaving me only whispers while talking to them. Then maybe I can tell the true tale of their value to God, and will only leave encouragement and support to saturate the air.

This reflection, is to remind myself, that there is nothing wrong with being a chatty extrovert. But, I do need to do a better job seeing people, and loving them. To be more ears, and less mouth. My words are loaded in my guts where evil in all its forms writhes in a ready cauldron. In the storeroom down there, there can be light, and hope. Scripted musing of the wonderful things of people, and the world. How will I stock the latter? The choice becomes mine, to pillage conversations, and wound listeners. A Christian should know the tale of God, and the undeniable value of people. Before I am silenced, and planted in the cold ground, perhaps I will leave behind words, hanging soft in the invisible air, that let you know, there are many great things I see in you.

My friends, I humbly ask for you to consider the following notions, before you release the swarm. In conversation, with other human beings that inhabit this world, please entertain the idea that their story doesn’t match yours. All people, perhaps, have unique back stories, that may identify them, haunt them, or inspire them. The fibrous stands of time are woven together for us all over years and years of experiences. Yet, the patterns, shapes, and perspectives are vastly different. Some fabric is cut, some are burned, some have vibrant stories and colors, some depict great tragedies. Words are not defined by your strings, but by theirs. Father, may be a word that is equal to the devil. Mother may mean perpetual anger and criticism. Please dear friends, I beg you to pause, and allow rumination to take your thoughts on a flight. High above your own city and town, where events that have happened to you are lost, and the vast landscapes of another person unfold below you. Become the Hawk, high in the cool breeze, seeking to capture their story, hiding in the rocks. Swoop down, and consume their tale. Live, with them in their moment of storytelling. Listen, learn, and most importantly, love.

Take the institution of marriage. Why, to me, it is a fine thing. My parents stayed married their whole life, as did my wife’s parents. I watched them endure mighty storms, but they were as steadfast as a rocky shore. My tale, is my tale. Other souls may have the word marriage fall upon their ears as a ball of thorns beings pushed into their heart with a glowing orange iron from the fire. A man may have used his might and authority to foul innocence. A woman may insult a child because they remind her of the man who failed, and left her alone. There are thousands and thousands of stories. Consider, listening. Discover what life is to someone else.

The swarm of your words, waits like an army. As the ruler you choose what to arm them with, when you unleash them into conversation. Will you attack in foolishness, or will you send an unarmed scout, with ready pen and blank page to learn the tale of life, from another.

My friends, please consider carefully concerning the swarm. For if you attack, for the sake of yourself, you will become a defined agent of pain, and burn another thread of time black before it is sewn permanent into the tapestry of someone else’s life.

Zachary W Gilbert, Author

Encouragement Perhaps

And then my words tore through the air like cannon fire…

Let your tale, be poured into my ears