It occurs to me that I have a talking problem. Oh, it's not that I talk too much - it's that I would rather not talk. It's the Great Stone Face Syndrome. I am blissfully content to listen, listen, listen as others speak or as no one speaks. Silence is Golden is the concept I tend to live by. I remember my mom telling me that as a small child I used to sit in a corner with a toy I liked and play for hours without making any noise. She was happy about that because I was easy to take care of and generally not a problem till I got hungry. At that point I would usually ask for the dinner menu and dessert list...and scream like a panther until I got fed.

Sometimes people speak to me at length and get very little or no response. After awhile they come to believe I have died. (Sometimes my wife tries to talk to me and realizes I may not be hearing her - she will say things like, "The pope just killed President Bush and has run off with Laura to the Bahamas." ...just to see if I blink or even burp. I have caught her checking my pulse numerous times.)

I know other people with talking problems. Usually they talk like a gatling gun shoots. No worry about aiming just FIRE and keep on FIRING. When everyone nearby is dead, reload and prepare to FIRE again. If you get 2 or 3 of these folks together at the same time it sounds like a a young war.

Some people are very determined to talk and make their point. Their mantra is, "If you can't make people understand what you are saying TALK LOUDER, especially if some one else tries to speak or make a different point." If people get charred along the way by pure volume, energy and superheated air, so be it. (Can you say political coverage on TV?)

Then there are the normal folks - most people I think - who can talk and listen equally well. My wife fits neatly in this group although she enjoys talking a bit more than listening. Don't mean to say shes not a good listener - I said 8 words last thursday and I believe she heard almost all of them. I'm just saying she has a talent for communicating (this is gonna cost me a bundle). Point is, she is normal and is used to both expressing herself and hearing others express themselves. People love to talk to her because she can actively listen and they to listen to her because she can express herself well one on one. She is the balance in most every area of my life.

What about prayer? It can't be just talking all the time (Rata-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-a-tat) or being quiet all the time (Huummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...) God wants to speak to you and be spoken to. Its a two way street. Bear your soul - give Him your deepest needs and concerns, requests - your praise and worship. But let Him speak to you as well - learn to rest and wait on Him - He has a lot to say to you. Every day...

Enjoy your time with Jesus today - -and if you see me very still, place a mirror in front of my mouth and check for breathing...