YOU JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND

I was thinking this morning..... in that Lipton Tea advert, Ade, the carpenter dad was seen telling his son, Shola to come help him with the woodwork but Shola told him he was more interested in drawing. The frustrated father asked 'how are you going to be part of the business if you don't learn?' and his son responded 'you just don't understand.'

That was my situation as I sat at the Service of Songs for the mother of a brother and friend at Akure days ago. Though I had the hymnal booklet raised, I can see the letters and words as written, yet I couldn’t understand what they meant, because it was written in yoruba. When the priest stood up to speak, I leaned forward hoping that finally I will flow with the event, but to my surprise, sound was made which I couldn't understand. Why is that so? Again, he was speaking yoruba and I just don't understand.

You can listen and hear and still don't understand. When your 6 months old child speaks incomprehensible words sometimes in the midst of sobs, some will say the child is speaking gibberish. No, they are not. We just don't understand.

The world is in a terrible mess today because we just don't understand ourselves. If you are married and treat your spouse badly, you just don't understand that you are hindering your prayers. Many parents still don't understand their children. Your child is home with you but withdrawn. He hardly speaks to anyone and only enjoys the company of himself. You think he is quiet? No! You just don't understand. Probe deeper to know why. The Dowen College, Lekki incident should teach you a lesson.

Seeking to understand is a much more greater virtue than listening. Stephen Covey defines this as the fifth habit in his bestselling book, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People." It's critical: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

If you are married, strive to understand your spouse, because it could save your marriage. If you are a parent, seek to understand your children. Prov 4:7b says 'With all thy getting, get understanding.'

Stay hopeful. God's got your back.

Happy Sunday.

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey