Sunday Reflection: Answering

It's nothing I'm proud of, but grumpy people are my specialty. In fact, during my time working at the school district, I often felt like the “grumpy parent” whisperer. It could be my round face or my baby blues, but I think it’s something else. I think it’s the way I (most of the time) speak to others.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

This past year, I had to communicate with a parent of whom others had warned me of, saying this parent was always angry and cursed when agitated. So when someone said, good luck talking to  that parent, I listened. I’m no dummy.

“The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” Proverbs 15:2

My life experience with people helped me go into the interaction knowing there might be conflict.  After I talked to he/she, I asked the colleague who called me to say the parent was in her office, “How’s he/she doing?”

She chuckled. “Good! Unusually nice and calm.”

“I had no problems when I spoke to him/her on the phone last evening," I said.

She asked me to join them in a conference on how to help the student. When I entered the office, the energy was indeed calm. The parent was also polite, compliant and peaceful. The visit was productive.

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15: 4

I learned a long time ago that respect for another and a gentle tone in my voice, seeded with kind words goes a long way. It doesn't mean I have to be a pushover either. 

“The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.” Proverbs 15:7

I’m not calling myself wise, but this is how I choose to roll with people: respect, kind words and a gentle tone in my voice. It works. You too can be the grumpy person whisperer because there are plenty. 

Blessings,

Teresa

 Read Proverbs 15 at Gateway.com