Ask Him What He Thinks

We sometimes ask people questions because we need information.

But there is another reason to ask.

Because their opinion matters.

In a Lodge, at work, around the dinner table, or sitting over a cup of coffee, it is easy for the same voices to do most of the talking.

The experienced Brother speaks.

The officer speaks.

The confident man speaks.

Meanwhile, someone else may have been quietly thinking.

Perhaps it’s the new Mason who hasn’t learned when he is supposed to have an opinion yet.

Maybe it’s the older Brother who no longer holds an office.

Maybe it’s the coworker who rarely interrupts.

Or the family member whose thoughts we’ve begun assuming we already know.

Today, deliberately invite one of those voices into the conversation.

Ask:

“What do you think?”

And then don’t use his answer merely as a pause before explaining what you think.

Listen.

You may learn something.

But even if you don’t, you’ve done something worthwhile.

You’ve told another person, without saying the words:

Your thoughts have value here.

Brotherly Love isn’t only caring for a Brother when he is hurting.

Sometimes it is making certain he knows he still has a place at the table.

Today’s Work: Ask someone whose voice you don’t hear often what he thinks—and give him enough room to answer.

Masonry works when it’s done daily.

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