(James 1:19-20) You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness (NRSV).

Quick…to listen.

It’s not normal…to hurry…to shut up.
Shhh…I have to remind myself to listen:
So I won’t speak too soon
So, I won’t say what I’ll later regret.

Now…slow yourself
Slow down anger
Slow down careless thought
Slow down…
long enough…
to hear God whisper
the right things to do and say.

Quick…listen.

Pause and hear.

(Silence)

(Kwasi Kena, Africana Liturgical Resources, Pentecost Package #2, ed. Safiyah Fosua.)