Listening Ears

So, last Wednesday night at church, Mary's class talked about listening ears. They then, as a project created listening ears to bring home and wear...Mary has been wearing and talking about listening ears...but not really listening any better than any other 5 year old I know...She talks about her listening ears, but hasn't really figured out the application of it...That has gotten me thinking about listening in general and wondering about how well I do that, outside of my office...

As a therapist, I listen to people everyday. I think that I am an active listener and believe that my clients would agree...I paraphrase and rephrase what they say to check out and make sure that I have heard correctly...I am empathetic to what many of them say, as much of the time, I can relate from my own experiences...My listening problems become crystal clear in just about every other area of my life...

It is in my personal and spiritual life where I believe that I struggle the most with listening...I think that I hear what is being said most of the time...Not always as I do only have 20% hearing in my left ear....but never the less, listening doesn't seem to be a strong suit in general...

My husband loves me dearly but admits that much of the time, he feels that I don't listen to what he says...It isn't a matter of being obedient to my husband, but just listening to the advice and warnings that he gives...I will admit that he has more street smarts than I do, though I have more book smarts...I also am willing to admit that sometimes I do the opposite of what he says, not intentionally, but that sometimes I interpret his advice or warnings as more of suggestions...This is very frustrating to him, but not intentional on my part to be frustrating...I am working on being more active in my listening to Jon as he does look out for me and most often does know what is in my best interest...

My kids also tell me that they told me stuff that I don't remember hearing...more examples of my not being present with my children...not acceptable to me!!! It is thus most important to set the example of listening so that my children will learn to listen...

Thus leaves my spiritual area of life...I am realizing that I also have not been using my listening ears when it comes to what I have been hearing...minimal action to my hearing...God has taught me so many things...Sometimes I don't feel that my actions follow what He has taught me, thus I haven't been using my listening ears...I know that He is telling me things all the time...I know what He is telling me...I just don't know why I don't listen...The Bible is full of things, directions, advice for me and for everyone that makes life so much easier...There are promises from God throughout the Bible telling me what He will do when I do my part...I already know the outcome...The path should be easy when I know where I will end up...I just want to listen...God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we should be listening twice as much as speaking...

I am certain that I am not the only one that needs to learn or be reminded of this important lesson...Any ideas on how to do that? Happy to entertain suggestions...as well as to know that I am not alone....

Introducing.....ME

So I have never really blogged before but really feel that I sometimes have very profound things to say....and thus....I will embark on this new adventure of putting my thoughts out there for others to comment on....I am excited about this.....