Conversation

I have a great idea!

What if we made laws for public discourse similar to our traffic laws? I stopped at several stop signs today, and did not proceed until no one else was on the road right at that corner. I also obeyed the red and green traffic lights that informed me when to stop and go. The other day at a four-way stop, each of the drivers waited with evident courtesy and caution until it was his/her turn. Now wouldn't it be unique among talkers if we were so observant of the conventions of polite conversation?

I am frustrated with people who are determined to out-talk others by their volume, their scary attitude, or their sheer wordiness. I would rather not be there at all than try to listen to them, even if they are not talking directly to me. (I have my personal list of grievous offenders, both individuals and groups, and you probably do as well.) They are not so much interested in conversation, an interchange of ideas and words, as they are in making their opinion absolute.

"There's nothing better than being wise, knowing how to interpret the meaning of life. Wisdom puts light in the eyes, and gives gentleness to words and manners." (Ecclesiastes 8:1)

"Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out." (Colossians 4:6)

"The words of a wise person are gracious. The talk of a fool self-destructs—he starts out talking nonsense and ends up spouting insanity and evil." (Ecclesiastes 10:12)

Oh, about my great idea—I guess there already are some rules.

MaryMartha

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.