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| Uh huh. Yes. Oh really? |
Perhaps one of the annoying habits and the hardest to break that people possess is not listening to what other people are saying. Not just nodding politely, but is one actively listening with understanding in their eyes?
Guilty. I am so guilty of this.
Over my lifetime, my mind has always been wandering, thinking about what I want to say in answer to their words. I want to tell my story! Let me interrupt you and tell my story. Their last sentence comes to a logical end, then I grab the reins before they reach the full stop.
Their eyes glaze over briefly before I hit my stride and then they relax. Oh, well, they think, politely smiling. Are they also mind-plumbing for their next reply?
It
doesn't end with conversations. When our progeny were small, I would
sit in church and the pastor would be preaching, sincerely presenting
the Word of God. I fed my youngest progeny Cheerios and let the middle
progeny play with his cars. The oldest one was quietly drawing.
What was I doing? Hearing Pastor talk and nodding my head in agreement. What was I really doing?
I
was wondering if the crock pot chicken would be done. Would Sherlock
Holmes (Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce) be on after I washed dishes? Did
I move the wet clothes to the dryer?
Yes, inane random thoughts would invade my brain, while I nodded in response to God's message.
Perhaps the worst not-listening is when God is talking to me.
We
have an on-going conversation throughout the day with me querying Him
and then hearing His first four words, before I jump in: Yes, I am right. Then my mind wonders off to laundry or dinner.
Let God Talk. Then, wait. Don't cut Him off. He knows what you are going to say, but He wants you to hear Him.
Let God Talk. He knows the answers to questions you are asking. He understands your fears, your worries. God is in charge.
Let God Talk. He has a plan for your life. Even though you groan and shout at Him, He is big enough to absorb your pain and your anger.
Don't interrupt God. Don't ignore God. Don't guess what He is going to say.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalms 46:10
Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. Matt. 7:7
Wow good post and so true. I’m not a talker so listening is my thing yet when I want to share my heart, I can tell no one is really listening. Sure God knows my heart and I share my heart with Him but there have been times when you just want another person to share with. I guess that’s why we have Christian counseling. They’re paid to really listen.
ReplyDeleteWrite to my email site? It is on the profile on the information page,.
DeleteNOT listening is one of my worst "flaws" I started to giggle while reading this because it is like you were describing me, in conversations and in church.. I have recently found, through the test for 3 hours for dementia, found I learn by doing. If I watch a video on how to, I have to write it down step by step, and do it. I can't watch the video and then just do it. I hate seminars that wee 8 hour required by work place, because I could do or say nothing and could not even follow instructions they gave... my best friend Madeline would call me on phone and we spent hours talking over each other with neither of us listening but waiting to jump and because she was a lifetime friend, we both just jumped in and talked over each other
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so much like. It is like you live down the street.
DeleteWe need to grow still and listen when God talks. He has all the answers.
ReplyDeleteThank for your words.
DeleteLet God talk. Let us listen. Such a marvelous reflection, Susan, that truly made me reflect on my own attitudes when it comes to listening attentively without interrupting. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that you are one of the club..
DeleteAmen, Amen, and Amen. P.S..Thank you, I thought I was the only one.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a party some day.
DeleteOMG, this is me. It takes practice to be an active listener.
ReplyDeleteLearning to listen is probably the hardest thing to master.
DeleteListening is hard work and so many of us are not trained to hard work.
ReplyDeleteThat's it exactly. It is too easy to zone out somewhere that to force yourself to pay attention.
DeleteNobody really listens.
ReplyDeleteMen don't listen or answer anyway,
DeleteMy mind is permanently on the "random/inane" setting.
ReplyDeleteIt is better to on permanent setting.
Delete