The Light

Strong relationships are not built simply by having the right advice or knowing exactly what to say. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is listen. Kelly Balarie explores the wisdom of James 1:19 and the importance of becoming a thoughtful listener instead of rushing to conclusions.

It can be easy to hear only part of someone's words and fill in the gaps with our own assumptions. But truly listening requires patience. It means slowing down long enough to understand not only what someone is saying, but also what may be beneath their words and what they may genuinely need from us.

Highlights

• Why jumping to conclusions can damage communication
• What it means to be “quick to hear” and “slow to speak”
• How assumptions can keep us from truly understanding others
• Three things to listen for: what is being said, what may be beneath the words, and what the person may need
• Why the right words can still hurt when delivered with the wrong tone or timing
• How being slow to anger helps create space for understanding
• Why seeking to understand is more powerful than simply trying to prove a point

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Full Transcript Below:

One Tip to Forge Strong Relationships
By Kelly Balarie

Bible Reading:
“Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]…” – James 1:19 AMPC

I heard the first half of what she said, “Mom, I really don’t want to…because…”. 

But what I didn’t hear was everything after she spoke the word “because”. All that?  Her words were muffled. I entirely missed the last part of everything she said.

So, I just filled in the gap with my own conclusion. And my conclusion was not positive. I figured the worst.

“Mom, that’s not even what I am saying,” she said. “You’re not even listening. You’re getting it all wrong; I didn’t even say that.”

She was right; I jumped to conclusions.

Ever been there? Maybe I’m not alone. Sometimes it is easy to fill in blanks with our own thoughts. It’s hard to endure gaps, waits, and the unknown. It i

Let's meet a family who brought their children to see Jesus.

Parenting can come with plenty of unsolicited comments, especially when you're out in public with your children. In “Reminding Our Hearts That Children Are a Blessing,” Emily Rose Massey challenges us to look beyond cultural attitudes toward children and remember what Scripture says about their value. Psalm 127:3 calls children a gift from the Lord and a reward, giving parents a biblical perspective when the world may treat children as a burden or inconvenience.

Our words matter, especially because children are always watching and listening. Emily encourages parents to respond to insensitive comments with truth and grace while also challenging Christians to become people who encourage other parents rather than add to their burdens. When we see children as God sees them, our response can become an opportunity to point others toward His goodness, faithfulness, and grace.

Highlights

• Why common comments about parenting can affect both parents and children
• What Psalm 127:3 teaches us about the value of children
• How cultural attitudes can cause us to view children as a burden
• Why Christians are called to think differently from the culture around them
• How parents can respond to insensitive comments with truth and love
• Why children are paying attention to the way adults speak about them
• How everyday interactions can become opportunities to live out our faith

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Full Transcript Below:

Reminding Our Hearts That Children Are a Blessing

By: Emily Rose Massey

Bible Reading:

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3, NASB 1995).

“You have your hands full!”

If I had a dollar for every time I have heard that phrase in my ten years of being a mom when I was out and about with my kids in public, I would probably be a quasi-millionaire! Well, that might be an over-exaggeration, but I have heard it quite often! Although I know most people are just trying to find something to say to connect with a stranger, I do wish we could find a different phrase to say that encourages moms with little ones who take them out in public. 

A few times recently, t

Dr. Stanley teaches that God has everything we need in any situation we may face. 

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