from bonhoeffer’s life together.
“but he who can no longer listen to his brother will soon be no longer listening to God either; he will be doing nothing but prattle in the presence of God, too. this is the beginning of the death of the spiritual life, and in the end there is nothing left but spiritual chatter and clerical condescension arrayed in pious words. One who cannot listen long and patiently will presently be talking beside the point and never be never really speaking to others, albeit he not be conscious of it. Anyone who thinks that his time is too valuable to spend keeping quiet will eventually have no time for God and his brother, but only time for himself and his own follies.”
wow, if that isn’t a slap across my cheek. but i’ve been the bratty daughter who probably deserved it. def something to add to my list of needed improvements.