Wednesday, November 21, 2007

listen

Listen well to what another is saying. We need to do this when someone speaks or writes to us. I asked a person yesterday to repeat the two or three sentences they had just told me; my mind had wandered. They graciously summarized what they said, and I believe it did make a difference in my life, a good check for me.

Do we really hear first before we speak? The best teachers and ones who can help others, are the best listeners. This was the downfall of Job's friends; they failed to listen well to Job. Therefore they proved to be unfruitful counselors.

Are we listeners? Do we let others speak their full piece? It is better, as a rule, to say less and hear more, than it is to say more and hear less. Our words will then carry much more weight, and usually rightfully so.

What have you learned about listening, or what would you like to share on this?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

thank you, brother.
a good reminder as i go today.
it may also come to mind and heart as i am to meet with many people over this very busy next few days.

Lynet said...

Well put. Since for me it is already the American thanksgiving day, let me add something: listen and be grateful. Listen and be grateful for what the speaker is giving: their insight, their lens on the world, themselves. That is -- well -- one way to listen well.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Thanks. And good to remind us that this can have special application for us during this American holiday wiht family.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Lynet,
Thanks so much for that.

I find this true for me in my listening, oftentimes of Speaking of Faith. They often are not Christians, and could be agnostics or whatever, but they have something good and helpful to say, and I at least can appreciate what they're saying, even if I don't necessarily get it. After all, I believe we're all Eikons, made in the image of God, and therefore every human being is special.