Thank you. You’re welcome. Have a good day. You, too. These are all sayings we use every day. But do we really mean them. Or have we turned on the remote control in our lives to where we automatically answer without even thinking?
Shouldn’t we, as Christians, show a bit more attention to our words than just spouting random responses? God wants us to pay attention to others. We are to notice them and what they are saying. If we aren’t listening well, we might miss a tone in their voice that says they are hurting. The first part of James 1:19 states “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” Could this be why God gave us two ears and only one mouth?
Unfortunately, in this culture, we have become a society of “about me’s.” We want the last word. We want the conversation steered toward our own lives. We can’t even put down a cell phone to talk to the person across the table because we want to be deemed as important.
But what if that person across the table really needs to be heard? If you are so consumed with what you want to say, you might miss their pain.
By talking on your cell while placing your order at a fast food restaurant or paying for groceries, you are making the other person appear as if they are nonhuman. At the very least, you are telling them they are not important to you. Is that how you want to be perceived? That is the same problem with remote answers. We say them without thinking. Yet our words are very important. We should choose them carefully.
Come up with different ways to respond to show that you are listening. If the grocery clerk tells you to “Have a nice day.” Maybe respond with something like, “Thank you. I hope you have a wonderful hump day (if it’s Wednesday) yourself.” 
Imagine the look on her face, not to mention the other shoppers.
Christians are real good at the “Have a blessed day,” yet they really don’t think about it when they say it. That in turn means you don’t really mean it. If the words have become so automatic that they flow naturally, you are on remote control, and not thinking about the words you are saying.
Words can heal. Words can hurt. They can also let someone know that you are giving them special attention. Isn’t it time as a nation we go back to interacting with others? Imagine how much better others will feel if we start listening more to what others are saying. The best thing you can do is give a tired store clerk your time. After all, she’s been on her feet all day giving her time to others. It’s only fair we return the favor.
What ways do you find yourself on remote control? What is a way you can respond to others to show that you are not just saying the words?
Please share your comments and ideas below. And if this post has touched you in some way, feel free to share it on your social media sites.
