Recently, Derek and I spoke with a newly married couple and they asked us to share some advice, especially as Derek and I have been married a long time. We paused. There was so much we could say, ‘Love each other,’ ‘Be kind’, or even ‘With God you can do it.’
But what came mind was something we have learned the hard way. It is something Jesus repeated taught as well – ‘Listen, then, if you have ears!’* There is little mileage in winning an argument, but a conversation can go a long way.
As a very wise lady once observed about another conflict a long time ago: ‘Why do they argue? Don’t they see that both are right?’
So our advice to this couple was simple – ‘Listen.’
(Mark 4:23 – Good News Translation)
(photo by Vera Arsic: pexels.com)
