In 2001, a man in New York City went to the top of a building
and threatened to jump off. He had a problem with his girlfriend and thought
life wasn't worth living anymore. Policemen tried using a bullhorn to send a
loud message to him. They didn’t realize that the man couldn’t hear a word they
were saying--he was deaf!
One policeman realized the bullhorn would never work so he tried a different tactic.
He had been a volunteer teacher of sign language in a deaf school. He went to
the top of the building, and by using sign language, signaled a message to him
which convinced him to not jump. He was able to reach him when the other
method failed because he knew how to speak his language.
Perhaps it’s hard for you to talk with your spouse, your child,
or someone else you know. You've tried using the bullhorn but it hasn't worked. You can open the lines of communication by learning
how to speak their language. If you will talk about what interests them (such
as their hobby), it will open the door to speak about other things.
The apostle
Paul said, "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have
become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." (1 Cor.
9:22). He didn’t compromise his beliefs, but he found a way to get on their wavelength, which led to talking to them about the Lord. Remember, if you will talk about what interests them, eventually
they will start talking about what interests you. And that’s what makes
relationships work.
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net @KentCrockett
Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
