doctor's life support

24th January: Talking with People

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settlings of silver. Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)

`The doctor tells me nothing,' people sometimes say. That may not always be completely true, but it can be the impression which is left. The onus is on the doctor to work at it.

The secret of it seems to be to talk with people. This is better than just talking to people. And it is infinitely better than talking at people. Talking with people involved listening to them. If we listen to them, they are much more likely to listen to us -- really listen and take it in.

Jesus sometimes talked to people when he was teaching, but even then we have it on record that he checked up on what they understood (Mt 13:51). He even talked at certain people who warranted it, people like the scribes and Pharisees. But when people were in need, he talked with them. His encounter with the Canaanite woman who was anxious about her daughter, and his meeting with Peter after the Resurrection are beautiful examples -- and he got through to them.

As these and many others of Jesus' encounters with people show, communication is a two-way business. It takes time, of course. But if people who are talked to or talked at don't take it in anyway, then the whole exercise is a waste of time. Talking with people saves time in the long run. This goes along with the fact that there is `a time to keep silence and a time to speak' (Ec 3:7). For further practical tips on the subject, consult Solomon: `a man of knowledge uses words with restraint', (Pr 17:27 NIV); `he who answers before listening -- that is his folly and shame', (Pv 18:13 NIV); `the tongue that brings healing is a tree of life', (Pv 15:4).

Lord, give me the tongue that brings healing and the
grace to be a good listener.

Further reading: Mt 15:21-28. Mk 7:24-30. Jn 21:15-19.

RRW