Listening

Editor:

Many years ago, I had a falling-out with a church friend over something in an organization to which we belonged. All summer I had been listening to others in the organization who were reinforcing my position, so I was very certain that my opinion was the right one. On a Sunday morning, our minister preached on the importance of reconciliation with our neighbors. After the service, I approached my friend and suggested we talk, and we agreed to take a walk together that afternoon. At lunch, when I told my husband that I would give this friend a piece of my mind, he remarked that it didn’t seem I’d listened to the sermon very well.

I remember riding my bike to my friend’s home, continuing to plan how I would state my case. As we walked around his property on that beautiful afternoon, however, he explained the situation from his viewpoint. All of a sudden, there was no need for me to tell my side of the story. The burden I had been carrying for months simply evaporated.

When I ponder the state of our nation and world today, it occurs to me that truth and reconciliation will involve some effort. Americans seem to be particularly fond of winning, but aren’t we all getting tired of fighting?

Peace will involve acknowledging that we have nursed our grudges, looked for faults in each other’s arguments, and, let’s admit it, enjoyed the competition. I imagine the angels who surround us are getting impatient.

Carolyn C. Peterson

Houghton