My grandmother and grandfather were missionaries in Hong Kong. They made many Chinese friends, creating social networks among the upper-class Chinese in an effort to lead them to Christ. My grandparents were accustomed to British ways and good at doing tea, so it seemed natural for them to work on and create these relationships.
During WWII, my grandparents were placed in separate prison camps by the Japanese. There was some distance between the camps that made normal communication impossible. But, my grandfather played the violin, and he would play different songs that carried different moods. My grandparents’ Chinese friends would then relay the mood of the music to my grandmother, which helped her to stay connected to her husband.
As I fight time to get things done, I need constantly to monitor myself to slow down and listen. I was told this touching story by the director of Black Mountain Expeditions who plans and executes outdoor education programs for our students. We met to complete the plans for the Middle School Overnight programs at the start of the school year. The conversation meandered from cars to travel to this wonderful story before we finally got down to our task. Another day, I might have pushed the agenda, and I would have missed hearing this remarkable parable about the importance of relationships. The lesson for me is to always be ready to listen and to make the other person’s story a part of your story.
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