Taking Time To Listen

It was an odd thing to say.
I can still see the faces of my children who were in the kitchen at the time.
One of them was asking me a question from across the room.
I told them to wait a minute before continuing.

I had taken my glasses off to read something.
I needed to go over to my desk in order to put my glasses back on.
I asked the questioner to repeat the question.
The question was repeated but not before asking another one.

Why did you do that, Mom?
Do what? I asked not knowing what they meant.
Why did you have to put your glasses on? They clarified.
Because I wanted to hear your question better, I answered quickly.

There were giggles all around.
I think you go that mixed up, Mom, one of them said.
Why do you need your glasses on to hear me? The questioner asked.
It helps me to hear you better when I can see you, I answered.

I thought about what I said and what I did after they left the kitchen.
It helps me to hear you better when I can see you.
I did not get that mixed up.
In fact, if my children remembered correctly, we were actually on the same page.

When they were little, there was always something that needed to be done.
I am a very auditory person, so I did not miss much of what they said to me.
I did not miss much of what they said to each other, either.
Often, I would be making meals while they would be talking to me in the kitchen.

They would sit at the kitchen island and read to me.
They would sit at the kitchen island and tell me stories.
I could always tell from their tone which type of story they were telling.
Some stories were a simple narrative about their day; others were more involved.

It was one day in particular that stands out in my memory.
I was listening to one of my children tell a story as I was tying their shoes.
I heard every word as I was on my knees in front of them.
Suddenly I felt two little hands take hold of each side of my face.

Listen to me, Mommy, was my sweet directive.
I looked up into eyes that were wise beyond their years.
I kept eye contact until the story was finished.
When the story was done, I was embraced in a big hug.

Listen to me, Mommy.
It helps me to hear you better when I can see you.
We all have a basic need to be heard.
We all have a responsibility to listen attentively.

I learned a valuable lesson that day.
No matter what needs to be done, listening to the person in front of me is paramount.
There is nothing more important that cannot wait until later.
Those moments need to be grabbed when they present themselves.

I remember reading: the best way to love someone is to listen to them.
There is so much truth to that statement.
Listening takes time.
Listening takes effort.

Many of us are poor listeners.
We listen to respond rather than listen to understand.
We listen halfheartedly because we are preparing what we want to say next.
That is not listening.

Listening is being all there.
Listening is being fully present.
Listening is making sure you are not distracted.
Listening is giving the person time to share their heart.

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion…and gives an answer before he hears. The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water but a man of understanding will draw it out. (Proverbs 18: 2, 13 and 20:5)

It takes skill to listen well.
It takes practice.
It takes patience.
It is the most loving thing you can do for another person.

Good listening shows another person that they are valued.
Taking the time to listen to their heart lets them know that they are special.
Good listening is the best kind of one-anothering.
Listening well is something that God, through His Holy Spirit, will enable us to do.

We must not only listen to each other, we must listen to God.
Listening to God is a bit harder since we do not hear an audible voice.
Listening to God takes practice.
Listening to God is paramount.

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice…My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
(John 10:3-5, 27)

Can you imagine?
Do you feel those nail scarred hands on either side of your face?
Jesus turns our face towards Him.
Listen and understand. (Matthew 15:10)

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35)

Listening is that important.
God says so.
The best way to love someone is to listen to them.
How has your listening been lately?

2 responses to “Taking Time To Listen”

1. One of my favorites!

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   • Thank you, Jennifer!
     You blessed me by letting me know.
     Gina

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