Motormouths

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Proverbs 18:2 NIV.

It isn't easy when we encounter motormouths. They talk about everything, and we can’t get a word edgewise. Their excitement takes them on a journey of endless conversation. It turns into a one-way chat as we sit and disappear, lost in our daydreams.

Long talking is the worst. Then, when we get to respond, they shoot down what we say. Then, we should try to correct our understanding of subjects. This takes another one to two hours to accomplish. Then we leave, hoping we will not bump into them again.

I love balanced conversations. When I sit with a good friend and we talk about the Lord, they say something as I listen. Then I respond, and they make me feel heard. Times like this are beneficial.

I'm not chatty, but I can get passionate. Then I think, did I talk too much during that conversation? I should’ve listened more.

We encounter individuals passionate about unrelated interests. Three hours later, we gained needless knowledge about that subject. The motormouth continued without giving us a chance to speak.

Pray for those who excessively speak and for us to be more selfless in conversation. There may come a point where we wonder why individuals avoid us. We can be too self-absorbed to let anyone else speak.

We pray for motormouths, Lord. Lead us all to focus less on ourselves and our passions. Let us listen more and speak less. Balance our conversations with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.