If you have follwoed my blog for a while, you know I am w wrod-o-phile. I love words, word puzzles, adn word games. That’s why my publisher contracted me to write a series of faith-based books called the Wordplay Mysteries.
Anyway, in solving a Jumble recently, I discovered that silent and listen have the same letters. I don’t think this is a coincidence. Any more than the fact that God designed us to have two ears and only one mouth.
Let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance— Proverbs 1:5
Listening to others seems to be a dying art in today’s world. Perhaps it is because our ears are plugged with Bluetooths (or is it Blueteeth – LOL) or headphones. We block out everything except what we want to hear.
And when we do actually engage in conversation, is it not our tendency to be formulating the response in our minds instead of stopping and concentrating on what the other person is saying? I’ve been guilty of that. I have to make an effort to peer into their face and really absorb their words and the nuances in their tone of voice. Then take a moment before I respond. Sometimes a warm smile, a tilt of the head, a hug, or a sigh is a sufficient response.
Thank goodness our Heavenly Father never stops listening, even if we are not listening to the Holy Spirit’s whispers into our hearts. Every prayer, whether verbalized or just thought about, is received.
Today, I am going to make a determined effort to remain silent and really listen to what others are speaking to me. And I am going to try to tune in closer to the Holy Spirit’s guidance before engaging my mouth to respond. Because I want to be a channel for God to speak through me. I want to move myself out of the way so He can shine.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry… James 1:19
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13
Is that what you would like as well? Will you join me?
Leave a Reply