be a better listener

that is going through hard times. In the middle of my morning chores it was put upon my heart that I needed to call her. I did. As it turned out she was having a terrible morning and as she was talking to me I told her, “I wish I had some good advice to give you.” She replied, “I don’t need advice. I need someone to listen to me without judgment and with out trying to fix me. I just need someone to listen to me and tell me they hear me.” So that’s what I did. By the time we got off of the phone she was laughing. It never ceases to amaze me how complicated we try to make helping others when most of the time they just need someone to listen and say “I hear you.”

In fact, I didn’t do it at all. I couldn’t, there was so much anger and so many lies. Manipulation, twisting words… I had had it. Now, here in the light of day, I wish I would have listened a little.

I need to listen to the voice in my ear. The voice telling me His love for me. That He will protect me. I choose to believe Him. He will protect me. I believe.

my friend will be here for coffee. She just buried her husband last Tuesday. They were married for 28 years. I love her so much. I been worried that I won’t know what to say. Maybe that is the point. Maybe I should just listen. I pray that when I do open my mouth that I will say the words that she needs to hear. I want to help her.

that lately I have not done the best job of this. I get impatient and wonder if the person speaking is actually going to say something or if they just like the sound of their own voice. It is not normal for me to be this way. I am officially renewing my commitment to this goal. I want to see if I can get through lunch being a good listener.

“You bet.” I replied. It was a call for help that I could not say no to. They were screwing up bad! Had stolen 400.00 dollars from his work the night before. It was hard to listen to. Michael and I went over and went with Sid up to his work and helped him confess to his boss. His boss was so hurt. The police were called. Showed up at their place and took him back up to the shop. Kirby, the boss, told Sid that if he completed a 30 day program he would give him his job back and that he would not press charges. “I can either destroy your life or I can help you keep your life. I choose to help you.” What an amazing man! Sid is currently trying to get a bed. If any feel inclined to pray for him it would be appreciated.

to all the people I’ve been in contact with inviting them to my Dad’s 70th birthday party. I have never been prouder of him then I am at this moment. It poured over the phone lines and the many letters that we received. He has had such a huge impact on so many lives. It is my deepest desire that I will follow in his footsteps and touch lives as he has.

I was in a meeting, brimming with good ideas and lots of ideas for action, and realized that it was not the appropriate time and was able to zip my mouth and really listen to what was said. Even though the meeting did not cover the ground that I was hoping it would, I listened, learned and walked out smarter than when I walked into it.

I caught myself tuning out my husband and children while smiling and nodding one to many times. I thought to myself “what a dangerous habit to be starting!”. I have always prided myself in my ability to listen to people. How could I now be smiling and nodding to the most important people in my life? The answer was obvious… I couldn’t continue this behavior. I want them to know and believe that what they say matters to me. So if I have to turn off the tv, or walk away from the computer, or put down the dish rag to make sure that I listen then I will do just that.

A challenge has been laid upon me that has made me do a lot of reflecting on my life and the turns it took. Trying to put together what is happening and why. What is in my power to change? I need to put some order to this to be able to work my way through the pain and the reality of where I am. It’s been tough. I’ve found that it is in the quite moments, when there are no sounds at all, that I have made the most progress. The answers have not been easy to hear. The best plan of action is still unclear. The words I’ve spoken so often over the years keep ringing in my ears: Do the best you can, with what you’ve got, where you are. For today, I can do that.