I'm not smarter than a five year old....

I am not the sharpest tool in the toolbox. I am usable and often accomplish good work, but I do have those moments when I need to assess my capabilities. Yesterday was one of those times. Our grandson got a train set for his birthday. He loves trains and was excited that Pop-pa was opening the thing up and putting the track together. Sometimes my downfall is in thinking I know what I am doing when in reality I don't. In all fairness, I did not have my reading glasses on.

Anywho, I had the circle track together and little Ryan was saying, "Pop-pa, track upside down." as he lifted the track wildly. I gently laid the track flat on the floor and said, "Don't pick the track up; you're breaking it buddy." To which Ryan said it again, "Pop-pa, track upside down." Rather than actually listen to him, I got up and went to the kitchen to check dinner prep.

Later I came back to the living room and the train was rumbling on the train track. I bent down and looked closer....and sure enough, I had the track upside down earlier. I walked over to Ryan and said, "Buddy, you were right; the track was upside down." He glanced sideways and kept enjoying his new joy.

(Track on the left, Pop-pa's track. Track on right, Ryan's track)

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2, NIV)

Perhaps one of the greatest problems in our world is the inability to listen to another person as they try to tell us things. We smash ahead thinking we have the upperhand and need not consider their words or insights. I'm guilty. Not always, but occasionally, I need to pause and listen. You have that problem? Um Hum, I know you do. It is human nature. Our problem started a long time ago in a Garden. God said some stuff about some trees, Adam and Eve nodded, and smashed ahead and did their own thing anyway.

The next time someone talks to you and it seem prudent to ignore them and barge ahead, just know you might look silly in the end. I know I did. A new year is here. There will be opportunity to listen and learn or listen and ignore. Let's make decisions to listen before we speak and listen before we act.

"My dear brothers (and sisters), take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," (James 1:19, NIV)