Every Other Sentence

Devotional for Thursday, 8/ 4/11
Repost from 8/9/10

Have you ever been listening to someone, only to discover they were still talking but you had stopped listening? I’m sorry to say that I have done so! As I scramble in my brain to try to catch up, attempting to attach current words with past sentences without a bridge; it is an exercise in futility and a disservice to the speaker. The right thing to do is to interrupt, make an apology, and ask for clarification.

“But if I do that, they might start all over!” I think with exasperation. So, in spite of embarrassing moments, hurt friends, and foot in my mouth experiences, I still fake it. I persevere in trying to play catch-up on a storyline even though I missed a chapter. I think the excuse I use most often, is that some scenes are not as essential to the play as others. Therefore, I might have only missed a few details that will not change my own response.

But the truth is a person usually knows when they are not being listened to. They might be too kind, embarrassed, angry or rejected to say anything but they have gotten the message. When I do not take the time to pay attention and hear what they are saying I am letting them know they are not important to me. “But you are important!” I insist. Okay, but are they important enough?

What is important enough? It is something that is crucial or essential and will spark me to action. So, if I want my husband, my child, my friend, to “know and believe” that I not only love them but I care about them deeply – I had better watch my messages. If I want an acquaintance to “know and believe” I am a trustworthy child of God who will pray with and for her – I had better watch my messages. If I want my coworkers to see the love of God through me – I had better watch my messages.

I’m not suggesting that my goal is to be an “on call” listener. That wouldn’t be practical or balanced. But when I do give someone the time of day – I want to give them all of their moments, not every other one. I can’t help but think – that listening to others carefully and thoughtfully – will help me to listen to Him.

Dear Lord, Please give me ears to hear and a heart to understand.

 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”

Matthew 7:24-25

And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:4-6 “(NLT)

Written by Mary M. Wilkins