Have you ever heard yourself recorded or through a monitor? It is so strange to hear your own voice outside of what you hear all the time in your head. So often, we hear one thing and the rest of the world hears another. I think many times, we live life that way too.
During one of my first few years as pastor, we had a special guest in town. My middle son, Sam was still a baby in the nursery so I took that opportunity to hold him for a short time during the end of one of the services because he was acting up. Our church at that time had a window in which you could still see the service going on but no one could see you, so I stayed in there for a minute and watched as the service started winding down. The service was going fairly long for us and people slowly were sneaking out. I knew that an offering still needed to take place and was beginning to get antsy about this guy wrapping it up. Without even thinking, I simply said very quietly, "I wish he would hurry up". I didn't think that anyone had heard my statement but just then, a little girl who was in the nursery with me piped up and said, "Now you know what we feel like when you are up there".
I was floored. I could not believe that anyone thought that I, of all people, was long winded. This little five year old had no idea what she was talking about. I have been to thousands of services and I know how long they are. I keep things short and to the point. And even if my sermon might (and it is a big might) be a tad bit long, they are filled with witty quips, good points and interesting stories.
The reality is that we all see ourselves in a different light. Sometimes another perspective can really be eye opening. From friends to mentors to pastors and leaders, God places people in our lives to help us. They see things from a different perspective and can objectively tell us about things we might not be able to see in our own lives.
Proverbs 27:9 states that "Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty council"(NKJV). So even though it may be hard to hear sometimes, we need to hear it. It can make us a better person. You never know, someday a little five year old may be just the one to see and say things that no one else will. Even if she has no idea what she is talking about. I mean seriously, me long winded. Have you ever heard such a thing?
