Are You Listening?

And pay me 5 cents! 

 

 

This is cute, a little egotistical, but cute. 

 

Listening is difficult for most of us.  We want to talk, we want to be heard.  When someone tells us something, we want to respond.  I can't begin to tell you how many times my youngest son has complained to me about the goings-on in his life and I have jumped in to "offer" my opinion.  That was not what he was looking for.  He only wanted a safe avenue in which to vent.  It got to the point that I would ask him, do you want my opinion or do you just want me to listen?  This worked out well for a while, though now, I tend to just listen.  Thankfully, those eventful calls no longer come very often. 

 

The Stephen's Ministry course I took several years ago in Kansas taught me the difference between sympathy and empathy.  It also taught me how to sit next to someone who was hurting and listen to them.  I was not to offer advice, only a friendly ear and a safe place to be heard.  I learned to listen, to pray with and for this person, and to help them through a rough period in their life.  It was a wonderful program offered through my large Midwestern church.  As of yet, I have been unable to find a similar program offered in my small Florida town.  However, I will keep looking.

 

If you want to truly love those around you, listen to them.  Listen when they are happy, but more so, listen when they are sad.  Don't try to fix a problem they don't want you to fix.  Offer empathy.  Stand beside them.  Hold their hand if they'll let you.  Pray.  Close your mouth, open your ears, and simply listen.  Sometimes silence and a willingness to just be there is the best thing you can do.