Are You Listening?

How often have you ever felt like asking this question?  Or, how many times has it been asked of you?  In a book that I am reading, A Woman's Secret to a Balanced Life (by Lysa Terkeurst and Sharon Jaynes), Sharon shares characteristics of being a godly mother.  One of the keys is listening with our whole being.  My whole being?  You mean I can't multi-task while listening?  Yes we can, but by only focusing on the person speaking to us.

You look with your eyes to see what you observe in the person speaking to you.  

You listen with your ears to hear them.  

You ask questions with your lips to deepen the discussion after they share with you.  

You think with your mind to comprehend what is being said.  

You use your heart to seek what is there but isn't being said.  

 
This kind of listening isn't only for our kids.  What would happen if we used this with our spouses, friends, and friends' children?  Are we truly seeking to listen?  Are we teaching our kids how to listen?  Or are we missing a few key pieces?  Sometimes just being available will deepen relationships and open new opportunities.  May we be encouraged to listen with our whole being so that we may be an example to others. 

--  Kathryn Sanders, Powdersville Children's Ministry Director