Speak Until It Heals You

There’s a older gentleman that comes into my work on a pretty regular basis. His name is Ted and he comes by to drop off landscape plans he has drawn up for someone. Many times I see him out my window and sigh because he’s a bit long winded. Usually, I’m trying to find a way to speed things up so I can get about my day. I don’t have time for him. I’m busy. I’m in a hurry.

I don’t know what about today was different. He sat down and we were just talking about landscape and creating a peaceful environment and I showed him pictures of what I was doing with my yard. We agreed that everyone needs quiet space for living and reflection.

He told me that in the mornings he gets up and goes for a swim and has a cup of coffee in his yard and reads his Bible. I told him that if I read the Bible I’ll do it at night and we started talking. And I listened.

I mean…I listened.

I don’t know what it was about that moment that I knew he had something to tell me and I better pay attention and so I did. He talked and I just looked at him. The expression on his face, the compassion and love in his voice that I’d never heard before. I saw beauty in his heart I didn’t have time for before. There was genuine care between us and it was wonderful because he saw me too. He talked about prayer in terms of healing what is inside.