I topped over the hill and there he was, standing stock still in the middle of the road.
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I topped over the hill and there he was, standing stock still in the middle of the road. Immediately the frenzy to escape started. First of all he came right at me. He then dodged to the right and started to push the fence with all his might. He was feeling the panic set in. To no avail, he tried both sides of the road many times. I have learned over the years how to handle a frantic antelope and that is when at all possible just stop! Plain and simple, STOP. When I stop they don’t feel pushed, their brains start to reenter their head, their pace slows down and it seems as if they are able to think more clearly. Sometimes I have to stop for a spell and let them get a couple of hills away from me before their world comes together, and at other times it happens rather quickly. Just stop.
Greg and I have different communication styles. Mine is rapid fire off the top of my head, and his is slow and methodical with much thought. Trust me, he doesn’t have to eat near as many words as I do. After 44 years of marriage, we are finally getting the hang of it. Just like that old buck when our conversation gets to rolling and I feel like I am not being heard or understood, I bounce from subject to subject, sometimes hurting myself or Greg. He does a wonderful thing and he just STOPS. It used to irritate the snuff out of me, but now I know it is the very best thing to do. He stops and he listens.
I wish I had known this when my kids were small and started to pitch those famous outbursts. Instead of me joining them, maybe if I had just stopped for a moment, let us all collect our thoughts, it would have been the exact thing they needed. Just stop. As is prevalent these days and we meet someone that holds a different view on the world, I am learning to stop. Most of the time the volume of the conversation comes down a peg or two, and the words become softer and kinder. Just stop.
How about when someone gives you a compliment or you see someone doing a nice thing. How about if we just stop. Stop and acknowledge what they have done or said. Kind words sure feel good on a weary soul.
James 1:19-My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
