Simple Is Better – Listen and Silent are spelled with the same letters

James 1:19 – My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily,

Recently, I read the most interesting statement. One that has sat with me the rest of the week. Words that I have returned to so many times.

The words “listen” and “silent” have the same letters. They are just in a different order.

WOW. How have I missed this little bit of information for years? Decades? And yet, I have.

Yes, we can easily read too much into some things. This one? I’m sitting with it.

The season of Lent started about ten days ago. I know. I haven’t spoken of it here until now. Lent begins 40 days (minus Sundays) before Easter. It’s a time when believers are encouraged to reflect upon their relationship with God. To ponder how they could draw closer with God in this time period before Easter. The idea is if we quiet ourselves during Lent, we go into Easter ready to rejoice, celebrate and more fully appreciate who Jesus is and what he accomplished while on earth.

Some people deny themselves something during Lent as a symbol of Christ sacrificing himself for our benefit. Some people add something during Lent as an opportunity to seek how they can represent Jesus in a world that desperately needs love and kindness and mercy.

Personally, I’ve done both. For years, I have not eaten sweets during Lent. It’s a small sacrifice in the big picture. This week, Hubby Rick went with me to pick up our youngest granddaughter from school. When Grandpa is part of pick up, this event often includes an ice cream stop. Would ice cream been a nice little treat? Of course, but I refrained.

As far as adding in something this Lent, I have challenged myself to have a meaningful interaction with a different person each day of Lent. Where we talk about more than the weather or surface things of life. Yesterday, I worked from home. I sent a lot of emails. Does this count? Hmmm. It’s tricky.

Shortly before Lent began, Catholic Pope Leo XIV shared some encouraging words for Lent. Read them carefully:

“I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace."

WOW. THESE are major aspirations. Unfortunately, Pope Leo XIV, I am less pious than you. I failed miserably with this intent on Ash Wednesday and every day since. Yes, I am striving to honor your words during Lent. While my intent is strong, my application needs significant improvement.

May I encourage you to read Pope Leo’s words again? If we really follow them, all we would have to do is listen more and be silent more. Doing these two things would keep us from speaking harsh words with judgement. Being silent means we would not speak ill of our neighbor or share words that offend. Listening more would cultivate kindness, respect and promote hope and peace. The problem? Sometimes our mouths begin speaking before we have a chance to halt them. (Or maybe it’s just me??)

Whether you have started a Lenten practice or not, may you consider being encouraged by Pope Leo’s words. For the next several weeks, try to refrain from saying things that might negatively affect someone else. Can we simply choose to speak less and listen more? Might we put ourselves in intentional moments of silence where we listen for God rather than doing all the talking?

I know. These are hard. They feel counterintuitive. We want to correct people, share our opinions and speak the truth; or at least our truth. Right?

The goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s simply to make small improvements, even one percent at a time. For when we accept an attitude of being silent and listening, it is amazing how God just might work through us. Imagine what might change if we did this beyond Lent. More listening. Being more silent. Something for us to ponder this day, week and the remainder of Lent.

Blessings –

Dianne

Holy God – Thank you for being patient with me, especially when I’m a slow learner. May I discover that listening more is really helpful. Help me discover that being silent really is helpful for me. For these days of Lent, may I discover how I can draw close to You and become a tiny bit more of the person You yearn for me to be. Amen.

Looking for a bit of daily inspiration? Check out my daily affirmation posts on Facebook and Instagram (Dianne Deaton Vielhuber and Simple Words of Faith.)

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