LISTEN!

I recently heard of a Florida High School with an automated message system set up to send school messages home in an efficient manner. But one week something went awry. The parents of virtually every one of its 2550 students were notified their child had detention for bad behavior. Only 16 parents didn't get that kind of message. Many students pleaded their innocence, yet parents were unhappy at the news. One mother (I'm sure there were more) admitted that she yelled at her son, even though he denied any wrongdoing.

To the relief of the students, and the embarrassment of the school, it was discovered the automated system had it backwards. Instead of sending out detention messages to the 16 students who deserved it, the system sent out 2534 detentions to everyone who didn't. It was a mess and there was much anger when it became known, but things finally got straightened out. That same mother later said she felt so badly about not believing her son that she took him out for dinner.

It's easy to believe the worst. When other things in life aren't going well, more bad news is almost expected. In our busy and stressed lives, we're tempted to judge quickly and react angrily. All of us have our stories that show our need to listen before we speak or act.

The book of James, written by the half-brother of our Lord, has lots of practical wisdom for life. James 1:19 tells us, "Everyone should be 1) quick to listen, 2) slow to speak and 3) slow to become angry." Those are three good rules for communication, great advice we all should follow!

James should know, as he was probably among those of his family who wanted to take Jesus off the streets early in His ministry. Mark 3:21 tells us, "When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of Him, for they said, 'He is out of his mind'." It was only after the resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit given in Pentecost that James came to believe his brother really was the Son of God. He may well have felt foolish remembering the day he thought Jesus was so wrong.

May we all listen carefully and show restraint in our words and actions today.