The Best Thing We Should Do For Each Other Is Listen...


Marriage is a partnership. It’s two people coming together to build a life and make decisions as one. Yet, like all partnerships, it’s not always smooth sailing. There are moments when both parties will have different ideas, opinions, or desires. In those moments, the best thing a wife can do for her husband—or vice versa—is listen.

Listening is not merely about hearing words; it's about understanding, trusting, and respecting the perspective of the other person. Sometimes, the voice of reason comes through the person you’re meant to share your life with, and failing to listen can lead to tragic consequences.

Let me share a story that underscores this truth.

A Tragic Drive: A Story of Listening

James and Sarah had been married for ten years. They were a loving couple, but like most couples, they had their differences. James was careful and deliberate in his decisions, while Sarah was more spontaneous and adventurous. It was this dynamic that often led to small disagreements, especially when they were on the road together.

One Saturday afternoon, they decided to go for a drive. Sarah insisted on driving, though James had offered. Wanting to avoid any tension, James agreed. As they cruised along the highway, the sun setting in the distance, James noticed something ahead. They were approaching an intersection, and from years of driving the same route, James knew it would be best to turn right.

“Sarah, take the right turn up ahead,” James calmly said.

But Sarah, in her adventurous spirit, had other ideas. She wanted to see what was down the road to the left. “I just want to check out what’s around the corner,” she replied, smiling confidently as she ignored James’ advice and turned left instead.

James sighed, knowing he couldn’t force her, but he trusted that she had it under control. What he didn’t know was that just around that left corner, a truck was careening recklessly down the road, out of control.

Moments later, the unthinkable happened. The truck swerved into their lane and crashed into their vehicle. James was killed instantly. Sarah survived the crash, but her life was forever changed.

The Weight of Guilt

As Sarah recovered in the hospital, the weight of her decision began to press down on her. If only she had listened. If only she had trusted James’ judgment. Her husband’s life was lost because she followed her own path, ignoring the voice of reason beside her.

The guilt was unbearable. She had made a choice, thinking it was just a small deviation, but that small choice had catastrophic consequences. She had wanted to see what was around the next corner, but she never imagined that corner would hold so much pain.

A Lesson for All of Us

Sarah’s story is one that reminds us of the importance of listening, of trust, and of teamwork. Marriage isn’t just about love; it’s about respect, and sometimes that respect comes in the form of yielding to the other person’s judgment, even when you have your own desires.

In life, we will often find ourselves in situations where we think we know best. We feel confident in our decisions and want to pursue our own path. But there are times when someone close to us sees something we don’t. They have a clearer view of the road ahead, and they can guide us away from danger if we only listen.

This principle extends beyond marriage. God Himself is the ultimate voice of reason in our lives. Just as James warned Sarah, God often warns us, gently nudging us to take the right turn instead of following our own path. But too often, we ignore His voice. We chase after what we want, thinking we know better.

When things go wrong, we find ourselves asking, “Why?” But deep down, we know why. We ignored the voice of reason, the guidance that was meant to protect us. Whether it’s the wisdom of a spouse or the quiet promptings of God, failing to listen can have devastating consequences.

The Power of Trust and Unity

In a marriage, teamwork isn’t just a nice idea; it’s essential. It’s about trusting each other’s instincts, balancing each other’s strengths, and respecting the perspective of the person you’ve committed your life to. There will be times when one person needs to lead, and the other needs to trust.

Sarah’s tragic story teaches us that listening isn’t about giving up control. It’s about recognizing when someone else may have a better view of the road ahead. It’s about understanding that, in life, some choices aren’t just about what we want in the moment—they’re about ensuring the safety and well-being of those we love.

As we navigate our relationships and our lives, let us remember the importance of listening. Let us honor the voices of reason around us, especially when we’re tempted to follow our own desires. And above all, let us listen to God, who sees the entire road ahead and wants only the best for us.

A Final Word

There are moments in life when the best thing we can do is pause, listen, and trust. The consequences of ignoring the wisdom and guidance of others can be painful, even irreversible. In marriage, in life, and in our relationship with God, may we always be willing to listen—even when we have our own ideas of what lies around the next corner.

Because sometimes, listening is the very thing that saves us.

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