Listen

Be quick to listen.  James 1:19
 
In our classroom, there are five student tables and in the center of each table there is a blue cup that contains pencils and erasers.  Since seven year olds and electric pencil sharpener go together about as well as whip cream and onions, I am in charge of all pencil sharpening. One day this week I had carefully explained directions for a math page. I had answered all the questions and thoroughly checked for understanding, so I told the class they could begin.  A few of them said something but I was busy putting a Band-Aid on a little girl’s hangnail and then the second grade teacher popped his head in my door to ask a quick favor and then I took a second
to reply to a note one of the kids had given me from his mom.  After dealing with all that, I did a quick scan and noticed none of the kids were working on their math so I said, “What’s up guys? Why aren’t you working?”  One of the little lovelies said, “We’ve been trying to tell you that you picked up all our pencils to sharpen them before recess and you didn’t give them back.”  I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry…instead I told them I needed more coffee!  One of the girls told me later not to worry about it because kids are
pretty used to grown-ups who don’t listen so good.

 When I ran across this verse in my notebook of favorites yesterday, I knew it was meant for me.  I love the way God thumps me over the head with His word sometimes.  This verse seems a little  strange doesn’t it?  We are very quick to comment, very quick to evaluate, very quick to eat, and drive and clean and…the list goes on and on.  We do almost everything quickly except listen.  My mom used to say,“Girl, there is a reason God gave you one mouth and two ears…so you could listen twice as much as you talk.”  After the pencil episode this week, I think I could use a little practice with listening.

 One of the fascinating things about Mother Teresa was the way she lived this verse from St. James. People of every status and walk of life commented on the consistent and loving way she would listen.  She had the amazing ability to listen completely and compassionately as if the person speaking was the only other person in the room. That is a gift!  The thing that makes living this verse so tough is that listening requires us to slow down, be present and do only ONE thing…listen. That seems so contrary to the way we spin through our days.  Sometimes it’s these Scripture “one liners” that really throw us a challenge.  Are you up for a challenge?
 
A Seed To Plant:  Spend the next few days being the second person in the conversation to speak…start with a “hello” and follow it up with a spurt of careful listening.
 
Blessings on your day!