It is amazing what we learn when we spend less time trying to impress others with our story and spend time listening to theirs.
I went to do a hospital visit about an hour ago with my two oldest sons. After entering the room and hearing how the church member was doing, I asked him about himself. After probing a little, I found out that he was a Marine and retired after 20 years of service as an E8 (impressive!). I asked where he had served and he gave me a list of around 10 places around the world that made me think he had some stories to tell.
After more probing questions (truly amazing people don’t willingly tell about themselves; you have to probe), I found out that the guy was a helicopter mechanic … for Marine 1! Yep, he worked on the helicopters that the President of the United States travels on. I asked him if he ever met any of the Presidents when he rode on the choppers. He said “yes,” got a distant look in his eyes as he thought and said: “Let’s see, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Bush. I saw but never met Reagan, though.”
If he wasn’t still recovering from surgery, I would have loved to stay in that hospital chair and hear more of his story! I bet he’s got some incredible tales.
James 1:19 (New Living Translation)

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak…”