We rush through life with determination, and belief that we have heard all that surrounds us. I ask you this: Did you hear it or did you listen to it?
When I was young there was a elderly gentlemen who attended our church that I was drawn to. I found him fascinating and remember thinking he was more special than anyone knew. He was baptized the same day I was, but it wasn't our age difference that really made it special. It wasn't the fact that so many of us were baptized ages 7-80+ (give or take a few years). It was special because I got to share that special day with a man who listened. He was blind and sometimes had difficulty hearing, but he listened. When he spoke it wasn't often nor lengthy but you felt his words. I often think about him today and when I do I am reminded to listen. Sometimes it is important to just SHUT UP and listen, and sometimes it even takes stopping what you are doing and listening.
We often tell our children to be quiet and listen or stop and listen, but as adults we forget to do the same. We are missing so much in the world just because we don't truly listen. We often hear the words someone has said to us, but don't always listen to the meaning behind them. There are times when I have stopped and just listened to the world, and often have been completely surprised by what I heard. I learned that the words we speak don't always represent what we are saying, but our tone does. Do you hear the sadness in a persons voice although their face and words represent another emotion? Do you hear the child who says everything is fine, but is truly crying inside? Do you hear the elderly woman who states she likes being alone really saying please visit again soon? If you are hearing these then your truly listening otherwise all you have done is heard a few words. I believe that we as a society have stopped listening, because it takes time. If we stop and listen we may have to stop and visit the elderly woman again, ask the hard question of why a person is sad, and take time to ensure the child is loved! We have TV, computers, work, cooking, eating (usually in front of a TV), cleaning, etc...to do we can't stop and listen. From today until Christmas I dare you to STOP and LISTEN! Take time to visit the elderly, talk to a old friend, pull out the old dusty board games with the kids, and listen. I bet you will be surprised of what you hear.
When I was young there was a elderly gentlemen who attended our church that I was drawn to. I found him fascinating and remember thinking he was more special than anyone knew. He was baptized the same day I was, but it wasn't our age difference that really made it special. It wasn't the fact that so many of us were baptized ages 7-80+ (give or take a few years). It was special because I got to share that special day with a man who listened. He was blind and sometimes had difficulty hearing, but he listened. When he spoke it wasn't often nor lengthy but you felt his words. I often think about him today and when I do I am reminded to listen. Sometimes it is important to just SHUT UP and listen, and sometimes it even takes stopping what you are doing and listening.
We often tell our children to be quiet and listen or stop and listen, but as adults we forget to do the same. We are missing so much in the world just because we don't truly listen. We often hear the words someone has said to us, but don't always listen to the meaning behind them. There are times when I have stopped and just listened to the world, and often have been completely surprised by what I heard. I learned that the words we speak don't always represent what we are saying, but our tone does. Do you hear the sadness in a persons voice although their face and words represent another emotion? Do you hear the child who says everything is fine, but is truly crying inside? Do you hear the elderly woman who states she likes being alone really saying please visit again soon? If you are hearing these then your truly listening otherwise all you have done is heard a few words. I believe that we as a society have stopped listening, because it takes time. If we stop and listen we may have to stop and visit the elderly woman again, ask the hard question of why a person is sad, and take time to ensure the child is loved! We have TV, computers, work, cooking, eating (usually in front of a TV), cleaning, etc...to do we can't stop and listen. From today until Christmas I dare you to STOP and LISTEN! Take time to visit the elderly, talk to a old friend, pull out the old dusty board games with the kids, and listen. I bet you will be surprised of what you hear.