I’m a talker. Ask anyone who knows me and they are sure to tell you I’m never short on words. Even if it’s something I’m not necessarily interested in, I will probably still have something to say. Recently I was called awkwardly social because of the way I am constantly engaging in conversation, even with strangers.

But that is fun for me. I love getting to know new people and developing a sense of what makes them tick and how they got this way. I usually go about this by talking and not so much listening. Also, if someone has an embarrassing question to ask, they usually turn to me to ask they question. Take the following example:

“Hey, I really think that man looks like Bob Barker…Chels, why don’t you go ask him.”

Me- “Ok!”

“Hello sir, Are you Bob Barker”

Offended, “No! I’m Ed McMahon!”

True, but not so recent story.

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that verbally communicating is what I do.

Until a few weeks ago.

After a few days spent alone trying to recover from what I thought was deadly strep throat (only slight sarcasm), I was more than excited to go to dinner at a friends’. It was a group of about 8 girls and usually this is a fun and exciting scene for me. Covering a lot of my favorite topics: shopping, God, boys, food, stupid boys, (not necessarily in this order) but you know, the usual girl talk. Dinner began and so did the conversation. I opened my mouth to insert my first words of wisdom for the night, when nothing really came out. I had forgotten my voice still hadn’t returned.

Now at a table of 8 girls, no one is really looking around to make sure everyone gets their two cents in. Comments came and went as I sat there with my wealth of knowledge that I had to keep to myself.

There I sat; silent. 

I ate and listened, and even if I felt I could squeak something out, my voice wasn’t loud enough to be heard over the masses. I quickly realized this was probably the first time I completely checked out of a conversation and hoped it would be the last.

But there was something about it, something about listening that began to grow on me.

Usually, in a conversation when someone begins to say something, I quickly start to rack my brain on how I can respond or make my own comment. The problem with this is I never completely hear out the other person and am selfishly planning out my response instead of hearing the initial comment.

Mute, I sat there that evening giving my vocal cords a rest, and let me tell you something; I learned a lot. I guess James knew what he was talking about when he said “…everyone should be quick to listen, and slow to speak”. (James 1:19) You can learn a lot about those around you and yourself if you take the time to listen. So even if you don’t have “deadly” strep throat, try it; sit back and listen.