The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
I remember when I was young, my great-aunt had a friend from France that came to visit quite often. She spoke English very well, but we had the occasional mix-ups! Let’s just say there are a few words in her language that mean something very different in our language. She answered the phone for my aunt one day and slipped a French word into her English conversation that made us all laugh at what she told the caller.
There are times when our communication with one another leaves a lot to be desired. We could be trying, but we just can’t seem to get out what we’re intending to say. That happens occasionally between men and women and between teens and adults. I know, I’m telling you revolutionary stuff here. This communication issue just happens. How do we move on from it into an area of understanding?
Yesterday I learned a very important lesson from God. I felt He was urging me to walk in love and be quiet. There’s got to be a time when we realize that the continuous barrage of words aren’t helping us communicate, they’re making us sound like the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoons saying, “Wah wah wah wah wah…” We’re putting people those that we’re trying to reach to sleep!
I wanted to make things better with my teen son yesterday, but I was at a loss on what to say because our communication went off track somewhere in the day and more talking from me would’ve just dug us deeper into a hole of misunderstanding. I learned that when we substitute love for words to communicate, it reaches all languages and all ways of thinking. My son and I could’ve just gone about our day, but we weren’t in a right place. Neither one of us felt very good about it.
I got the strong urge to just be with him. I didn’t feel like we needed to have a big conversation, rehashing what wasn’t working, but just be together. I asked him if he’d sit with me outside. He immediately came and we just sat there watching and listening to the wildlife. I didn’t feel the need to straighten anything out, just be with my son.
An amazing thing happened! He started talking. We gently, with few words, made everything right. Love was much better than a bunch of confusing words yesterday. It allowed the Lord to fight for our relationship. We turned over the frustration and confusion to Him. We got still and the transformation took place.
A bunch of words and constant talking can make people tune us out, but a strong, silent love can speak volumes. Don’t keep talking when someone can’t comprehend what you’re saying. Be still, trusting in the Lord, and let Him fight to bring about understanding. I challenge you to love instead. Just love.
