Love Has Ears

I had more than my fair share of conversational chaos last weekend. It happened in three different scenarios, but each had a similar theme that you will quickly discern. 

• Not only did my friend interrupt me, she went on to complete my sentence…with incorrect information. 
  
• She made a no-doubt-about-it-I’m-ending-this-conversation statement, in essence declaring “There is nothing else to be said and if you do I will not hear it. Period.” 
• She paid attention long enough to get the gist of my story and then commenced to enthusiastically tell her own vaguely related story over the top of mine. 

In each case, listening was not valued. Trust me, I’m not throwing stones. I’ve been on both sides: sometimes I’m a good listener. Often I’m a rotten one. I wish I could consistently live out the biblical admonition to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). 

Author Debbie Macomber believes that becoming what she terms a ‘generous listener’ can transform our lives. In her book "One Simple Act" she lists several benefits of good listening skills:

* Gaining wisdom 

* Reducing/avoiding conflict 
* Building stronger relationships 
* Being viewed as more trustworthy 

I have a long way to go to become a generous listener. But I want to learn from my mistakes as well as the errors of others. And when I feel discouraged that no one is listening, I will find comfort in this amazing truth: 

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

He heard my cry for mercy. 

Because he turned his ear to me, 

I will call on him as long as I live. 

Psalm 116:1, 2