Have you ever tried to converse with someone who wants to do all the talking and will not listen to anything you have to say? People like that are what I often refer to as alligators, because they have very big mouths and no ears. It is a nearly impossible situation to be in, and usually results in total frustration. It can often escalate to anger, and can even result in physical confrontations. Neither person gains anything in talks with alligators. Although I know I should never waste my time in such an effort, I recently attempted to carry on a conversation with an alligator. He was totally convinced that the past was the present and that now would never happen, and I was equally convinced that the present is now and that the past was history. He was irate from the get go, and his anger escalated with every word I said even though he did not hear a single one of them. His anger, along with his refusal to hear my opinion infuriated me, and we both walked away losers.

Sometimes, we, as Christians, who know right from wrong, turn into alligators unwittingly. Sometimes we make snap judgements about others because of something we may have seen or heard about, and want to correct them without hearing their thoughts on the matter. Sometimes Christians want to ram their Christianity down the throats of others, and can become frustrated due to their lack of acceptance. We often want to share the love of Christ with alligators, and become fixated on making them understand what we know is right to the point that we turn into alligators ourseles. Our mouths can get very big and we can lose our ears. We get frustrated and both people walk away as losers. My grandpa used to tell me a little saying that I'll never forget: To be seen, stand up. To be heard, speak up. To be appreciated, shut up! Sometimes listening will say more to a lost soul than all the words we could ever say, and there is never a fight! If we'll listen we may learn something. and that something may just open the door to let us in. And sometimes we may need to just walk away. Endeavor to not be an alligator! Pray diligently for discernment. God bless you!