An Answer for Everything

I could spot a bad decision

From a quarter mile away,

Especially when somebody else

Was making it that day.

I could turn a simple question

Into quite a lengthy speech.

Knew what everybody needed,

Missed the woman next to me.

I asked the Lord for wisdom,

With my mind already made.

Then wondered why His answers

Kept getting in my way.

I had an answer for everything,

An answer for everything.

Could tell you how the world should turn,

What everybody ought to learn.

But I couldn’t tell you why

She’d grown quiet next to me.

I had an answer for everything—

Missed what she was asking me.

She’d say, “Today was heavy.”

I’d say, “Here’s what you should do.”

Have a three-point plan unfolding

Before her story’s halfway through.

Then she said, “Could you just hear me?

Let me get the whole thing out.”

I was halfway through an answer

When I finally shut my mouth.

There was hurt beneath the sentence

That my hurry hadn’t heard.

I pulled my chair a little closer,

Let her have the next few words.

I had an answer for everything,

An answer for everything.

Could tell you how the world should turn,

What everybody ought to learn.

But I couldn’t tell you why

She’d grown quiet next to me.

I had an answer for everything—

Missed what she was asking me.

She said, “I miss the way we talked

Before you knew it all.

I used to tell you everything.

Now I hardly talk at all.”

I had no answer ready.

I just reached across the space.

She let me hold her hand awhile;

I stayed and heard her pain.

Get right before I answer.

Do right when pride breaks through.

I want to be the man she trusts

To tell the whole day to.

I still catch myself preparing

My reply before she’s done.

Still can turn a little difference

Into something to be won.

But now I stop and ask her,

“Did I hear what you meant?”

Some nights we find the laughter.

Some nights we try again.

I had an answer for everything,

An answer for everything.

Could tell you how the world should turn—

Turns out I’ve got a lot to learn.

Now I’m learning to be quiet

When she shares her heart with me.

I don’t need an answer for everything;

She needs me listening.

She said, “Can I tell you something?”

I could feel that speech begin.

I put my phone down on the table,

Took a breath and settled in.

She said, “It’s been a day.”

I said, “Tell me. I’m listening.”