Listen with Compassion and Speak with Grace

Saturday I was sitting at my son’s football game enjoying the game and yelling “Run, Run” because we had the ball and it looked like we might get a touchdown. In fact, we did get a touchdown but it was called back. Everyone in the stands groaned as we saw the yellow flag hit the ground. Then we sat in silence to see who the flag was thrown on, us or the other team. The referee did his hand signals and the announcement was made that the penalty would be against us for holding  and the touchdown would be called back.  As soon as the head coach heard this, he walked out on the field and proceeded to yell loudly at the referee. You see, the head coach did not like the call that was made by the referee for several reasons. His son was the one that had ran and got the touchdown, the coach had seen the other team horse collar some of our players and we didn’t get points on the scoreboard. Mr. Coach was mad and he was responding harshly.  The coach yelling at the referee was not called for in my opinion. I understood that he was upset and let his emotions get in the way but for the rest of the game the referees did not like our team and called every small penalty they saw while the other team got by with a lot of penalties. I agree it was not a fair ball game, but I wonder if the outcome would have been different if the coach had reacted differently.

   We often have the idea that if we raise our voice, and yell or scream,  we will achieve a greater response but many times it has the exact opposite effect and will worsen the problem rather than resolving it.  The Bible has a wealth of wisdom for those of us who have ears to hear and receive it. It has to do with “A gentle answer” and not “ A harsh word.” Proverbs 15:1 says “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” That verse is telling us we need to listen with compassion and speak with grace. This is not always easy to do, especially when someone makes us mad. We want to yell or speak harsh thinking it will get our point across but really it creates anger. Next time someone makes you mad, respond to them in a whisper and see what happens. Let’s commit to speak with grace, God’s grace. Respond to people using “Gentle Words” and not” Harsh Words.” When we do, it will go a long way toward creating a new life in our family, school, where we work, and everywhere we go.