Proverbs 18:13 If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame.
As a born extrovert my nature is to speak first, listen second. There have been times when I've gone off on someone, only to realize I completely misunderstood the situation to begin with. Makes me look like one full of "folly and shame".
Conversely, many of the people I admire most are great listeners. They don't just hear you out, they ask follow up questions. They flesh out the details before responding. They also understand the influence that comes from being a good listener, even when points of view are far apart.
This morning I'm particularly asking the Lord to help me listen well to my own family members, those who live under my roof. Because I know them so well I can jump to conclusions about what they're thinking or saying. It's easy for me to make false assumptions based on past experience. If one of the most loving things one can do for another is listen well, I have some work to do.
Gracious God as a wise person once noted you "gave us one mouth and two ears". Give me grace to listen well when I am tempted to speak first. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
And here I thought I was the only one with these kind of problems! Prayers!