Poem: To Feel Heard

Not in the mood to be calm,
I want to be angry with you.
I don’t want to pause to listen,
Just lash out my frustrations.

Now that I’m done,
Please get away from me,
I can’t be around you,
I’m too upset to think.

But alone in my room,
Thinking is what I do,
Regretting the way I reacted,
Not being what you needed.

Even if I am right,
How can it be received,
When I haven’t sympathized,
To understand your feelings?

Is anyone ever totally right,
When emotions are heightened?
What’s of first importance?
For you to feel heard.

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

Prayer:
Righteous God, You know my frustrations and those little things that can be done or said that set me off. You know me better than I know myself. Even if sometimes I don’t understand what has made me so easily irritated with another, You have given the solution. I am to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. I surmise that to do this I am going to have to be aware of my mindset, slow down to calmly listen even when I’m not in the mood, and try to first find understanding of someone’s feelings so they feel heard. How difficult I find this when my emotions get so high and I have a growing sense of being right. Yet, my Father, I will trust in Your ways and learn to do better. Please forgive my failing efforts and teach me to be what is needed for me to draw others closer to You. Amen.

Truth in love,
Heather