So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 NIV
I was talking to my mom in my car on the way home a few days ago, don’t worry I was wearing my wireless headset so I could talk safely, my mother was just responding to something I said and I could tell she was on a roll when- dead zone! I completely lost service and didn’t hear a word she said.
When I got a signal back I called her again and she answered saying, “I thought to myself, ‘Wow I must really be making a good point she hasn’t interrupted yet!’ ” “I don’t interrupt that much, do I!?” I said interrupting again. “Well no, you just like to join in on what people are saying,” Mom said cutting me a little slack.
That conversation got me thinking… I had been aware that I am not always the best listener, and this was something I had determined to work on, and be more aware of this year, but man, do I really do it all the time?? I attended a workshop once where the speaker said a statement, “People will say the most important thing right before they are done speaking.” How often do I miss that?
In my eagerness to jump in and show that I am listening I often cut people off, interrupting and by default showing that what I have to say is more important than what they have to say.
Christ gave us the command to “Love one another, ” and to “Do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” One of the best ways to love others is to listen and listen well to them. Sure what I have to say may be important but so is what they have to say- and regardless isn’t it more important to show love to them than to show them how smart we think we are?
With God’s help and by His grace I will work to become a better listener, this will be a focus for me this new year- what about you? Is there an area of your life in which you know you can improve but have been trying to ignore? Why not ask God to help you transform this area of your life this year? There’s no time like the present to do so!
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