There is a familiar old saying that goes “Talking is sharing, but listening is caring.” You probably have heard this saying a few different times in your life, I know I have. I don’t know where the saying originated from, but it is very accurate.
In one of the devotionals that I sent out to my subscriber list I wrote about a rough time in my life that I was going through and how God’s Word had been a great comfort to me. When I wrote that devotional I had no idea that I would get such a warm response from readers. I had calls from friends and emails from readers that I don’t even know personally. Many of them told me that they were there for me if I wanted to talk to someone.
The fact that these people were willing to take the time to write an encouraging note, or even to call, meant so much to me. It should me that they were listening and that they cared about me. Those facts were obvious and it had a big impact on how I was feeling.
Our lives are crazy, always going straight from one thing to the next with little time to think or relax in between. In these busy times in which we live, many of us are not as committed to listening as we should be. It’s easy for us to be like this, but making some changes in our habits can make a big impact for others.
When you listen to someone else it shows that you care and that you value them. You show that you care enough to give them your time and attention, and that can mean a lot. Listening helps to build stronger, deeper relationships, and it brings two people closer together. By listening to others we can show them God’s love.
Throughout the four Gospels we read stories of Jesus listening to people. In most cases these are average, ordinary people that wouldn’t get the attention of religious leaders of that day. In other cases they were prominent people, like Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Jewish leader that talked to Jesus about the miracles He was performing and His teaching of the people.
John 4 records that just a short time later, Jesus sat in a foreign country and listened to a sinful woman who came to draw water at the well where He rested. Religion, gender, social position, and moral character didn’t matter to Jesus. He listened and He cared. He is the role model we are to follow.
Thank you, dear friends, for your care and concern. I want to let you know that my unpleasant event was resolved as well as it could be, and there has been reconciliation. Thanks for caring! Thanks for listening!
God, I thank You for the wonderful friends that you have placed in my life. I ask that you would help me to be a good listener and to show the love that these friends have shown to me during my difficult times.
Ann Shorb is a counselor and the founder of CCES in Hanover, PA. They provide a variety of services including premarital counseling, marriage counseling, family counseling and much more.
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