I sat with a stranger on a park bench and listened to him talk about his marriage which had just ended.

On a bench by a playground he sat
watching his small child happily play.
I sat down on the bench next to him
and listened to what he had to say.

“I must get away for time alone,”
he said, “I have some things to decide.”
“I think I’ll get on my motorbike
and just out go and have me a ride.”

I listened as he told me his tale
of a marriage that came to an end.
His emotions were heavy as he
thought what the future days were to send

I just sat and listened to his hurt.
No advice did I try to give him.
I felt like a lifeguard at a pool
watching a person struggle to swim

I did not ask this person his name.
And I don’t how it went today.
But I thank God for His placing me
where I could hear what he had to say.

We don’t have to give any advice
as we go about life with our peers.
We simply have to take time to pray
and silently we can be God’s ears.