The Importance of Listening

Family & Parenting

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” — James 1:19 (NIV)

I used to think good parenting was all about having the right answers. But over the years, I’ve realized something far more powerful—being present enough to hear the questions.

There’s a moment that still echoes in my heart: one of my children looked up at me and asked, “Dad, are you really listening or just waiting to talk?” That question stopped me in my tracks. I had been so focused on correcting, teaching, and guiding that I forgot to listen. Not just with my ears, but with my heart.

James 1:19 isn’t just good advice—it’s a lifeline for relationships. When we slow down and really listen to our children and loved ones, we communicate something deeper than words: you matter to me. Listening becomes an act of love. It builds trust. It creates safety. It invites honesty.

The truth is, our children don’t need perfect parents—they need present ones. The same goes for spouses, siblings, and friends. They need to know we care enough to stop, lean in, and hear them—even when their words are messy or hard to understand.

When we’re quick to listen and slow to speak, we give space for growth, reflection, and connection. We learn to respond rather than react. We become mirrors of God’s patience and grace.

I want to invite you to ask yourself today: Am I listening to hear, or listening to fix?

It’s in the stillness that hearts open. And it’s in the listening that healing begins.

Take a moment and reflect on these questions:

• In your daily interactions, how often are you truly listening without distraction?

• Are there loved ones in your life who feel unheard or overlooked?

• What might change in your relationships if you chose to listen more and speak less?

• 
  

Let’s bring our ears—and hearts—before God in prayer.

Lord, teach me to listen the way You do.Slow me down when I rush to speak, interrupt, or fix.Help me hear the hearts behind the words of those I love.Grow my patience, increase my empathy, and guide my responses with grace.May my listening become a reflection of Your love. Amen.

Leave a comment or journal your response to the reflection questions. I’d love to hear how this speaks to your experience as a parent, spouse, sibling, or friend. Who might need your listening ear today?