Day 9

For day nine, the challenge says:

"...be swift to hear, slow to speak..." James 1:19b

We are often so busy speaking that we don't take time to listen. We are so quick to offer a comment - negative or positive - that we don't really "hear" our husband's heart. Remember: we have two ears and only one mouth. We need to listen more! As you continue in your 30-day challenge, not speaking negatively and focusing on positive encouragement, hear the Lord's admonition today: "Be swift to hear."

If listening is a real problem for you, play a game with yourself. See if you can listen to your husband for one whole day, only speaking when asked a question. If your husband notices the difference, explain that you are learning to listen more-not only to God, but also to him.

One easy way to express admiration for your husband is to ask a question about something he enjoys, and then listen to his response. If it's an area of personal familiarity, keep asking questions until you learn something you didn't know, then tell him, "Wow, I didn't know that!"

In all honesty, I do have to say that I'm a talker...always have been...I'm a 'people person'. My mother used to say I'd talk to a brick wall if I thought I could get it to talk back...and she was probably right...If I got in trouble at school...it was for talking...always! That being said though, I'm also very good at listening...as a matter of fact, I crave that give and take conversation. My only problem listening to my husband is that he rarely talks!!! I try all the 'open ended question' angles and try to ask questions about him or things he's interested in...but I get concise answers that rarely open up conversation opportunities. As someone trained as a social worker and working in a business that depends on 'building relationships' with customers...I have spent a great deal of time learning the art of opening people up and listening to their answers...but he's just a quiet and introspective kind of guy. Not saying there is anything wrong with that...but it makes this days challenge a little harder to feel like I've been truly successful.