Refraining from the Lecture

I’ve been pondering this verse in relationship to my role as mother.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

²⁰For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

It’s one I tell my children often, particularly the “slow to wrath” part.  It seems sometimes that my children are often quick to anger, particularly with each other. I want them to learn to be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

But today I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about me, particularly in how I respond when they are telling me about some event or occasion. Typically, when they finish, I’m immediately evaluating and talking about what happened, good or bad. I’ll tell them what they should have done, what they did right, what they could do next time.I am, sometimes, a little intense.

I am wondering, however, whether I should not pay attention to this verse a little more: quick to hear, slow to speak. I’m not angry during moments like these, so maybe I need to meditate on another be quiet verse (there are a number of them). In any case, I’ve been wondering whether a quiet child’s willingness to confide in a parent might not be squelched by the knowledge of an immediate lecture or reaction. I think so.

This is why I’ve been attempting to just listen. If correction needs to be made, I can do it at a later time.

Just thinking.