Listening…
When
I was a girl, I loved family reunions when my four uncles would sit in a row on
wooden chairs, tilted back, and regale us (and themselves) with ‘remember when’
stories. The peals of laughter ended
every story and always reminded them of another. I studied my four uncles, Jacob VI (1898 –
1968), Dietrich (1900-1970), Herman (1903-1979) (my Dad) and John E (1907-1972). I knew that Uncle Jacob was blinded through
accidents when he was a boy. Uncle
Dietrich cut hair and farmed and had seven children. Dad (Herman), a farmer boy, became a teacher
and then began working for USPS, walking 20 miles a day. Uncle John E., the youngest, worked in the
city. Their older sister, Elizabeth,
endured their constant teasing growing up and loved her brothers.
I was a girl, I loved family reunions when my four uncles would sit in a row on
wooden chairs, tilted back, and regale us (and themselves) with ‘remember when’
stories. The peals of laughter ended
every story and always reminded them of another. I studied my four uncles, Jacob VI (1898 –
1968), Dietrich (1900-1970), Herman (1903-1979) (my Dad) and John E (1907-1972). I knew that Uncle Jacob was blinded through
accidents when he was a boy. Uncle
Dietrich cut hair and farmed and had seven children. Dad (Herman), a farmer boy, became a teacher
and then began working for USPS, walking 20 miles a day. Uncle John E., the youngest, worked in the
city. Their older sister, Elizabeth,
endured their constant teasing growing up and loved her brothers.
Listening
to the stories gave me a sense of a different time and era when a piece of
string slung over a donkey with loops on either end the big toes became a
saddle. When Uncle Dietrich rubbed coal
in his hair to cover up his white blonde hair to lessen teasing at school. When Herman wanted to go to town on Saturday
night with his older brother, Dietrich, he was denied. Herman loosened a wire
in the car and suggested Dietrich turn the (starter) handle in front of the car
repeatedly. When Dietrich’s celluloid
collar melted from the exertion, Herman re-attached the wire, and sent Dietrich
on his way. When Elizabeth made cookies,
her Dad proclaimed their new use could be as overcoat buttons, IF they could
drill holes in them. Life was difficult
for all the brothers, but when they were together they drew strength from each
other. A common bond of family drew them
together and the heartaches disappeared for a moment and became more bearable.
They listened ‘heart to heart’.
to the stories gave me a sense of a different time and era when a piece of
string slung over a donkey with loops on either end the big toes became a
saddle. When Uncle Dietrich rubbed coal
in his hair to cover up his white blonde hair to lessen teasing at school. When Herman wanted to go to town on Saturday
night with his older brother, Dietrich, he was denied. Herman loosened a wire
in the car and suggested Dietrich turn the (starter) handle in front of the car
repeatedly. When Dietrich’s celluloid
collar melted from the exertion, Herman re-attached the wire, and sent Dietrich
on his way. When Elizabeth made cookies,
her Dad proclaimed their new use could be as overcoat buttons, IF they could
drill holes in them. Life was difficult
for all the brothers, but when they were together they drew strength from each
other. A common bond of family drew them
together and the heartaches disappeared for a moment and became more bearable.
They listened ‘heart to heart’.
“Most people do not listen with the intent to
understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” (Stephen
Covey). How true. Somehow there is an inner need to express
one’s self that causes a block in a two-way conversation. It becomes a monologue. A true conversation is a matter of listening
to another’s heart and responding, if need be, heart to heart.
understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” (Stephen
Covey). How true. Somehow there is an inner need to express
one’s self that causes a block in a two-way conversation. It becomes a monologue. A true conversation is a matter of listening
to another’s heart and responding, if need be, heart to heart.
‘ He who has ears to hear, let him
hear.’ Matthew 11:15. Eugene Peterson, in his
book, Reversed Thunder, presents the observation
from Marshal McLuhan… ‘nature has not equipped mankind with earlids. But we compensate
for nature’s oversight by developing selective listening. We are
conveniently deaf to sounds that challenge our pride or command our obedience,
interrupt our fantasies, or call attention to our lapses.
hear.’ Matthew 11:15. Eugene Peterson, in his
book, Reversed Thunder, presents the observation
from Marshal McLuhan… ‘nature has not equipped mankind with earlids. But we compensate
for nature’s oversight by developing selective listening. We are
conveniently deaf to sounds that challenge our pride or command our obedience,
interrupt our fantasies, or call attention to our lapses.
Hear what, we all
hear? Eugene Peterson continues, “Never
mind what. Let him hear. God’s voice and
human ears are connected.”
hear? Eugene Peterson continues, “Never
mind what. Let him hear. God’s voice and
human ears are connected.”
What if we are
distracted and cannot hear? What could possibly
distract us from hearing God’s voice? Each one of these distractions we have
felt at one time or another: a) What will I say next? b) Fear of another’s power. c) Distractions
of the technological wonders. d) Prior
expectations from the speaker. e)
Evoking a memory association of an emotional memory. f) Personal history of being heard that
affects listening at present. g) Discomfort with personal interaction. (http://www.scribd.com/doc/59056144/Chap-1-The-Communication-Process)
distracted and cannot hear? What could possibly
distract us from hearing God’s voice? Each one of these distractions we have
felt at one time or another: a) What will I say next? b) Fear of another’s power. c) Distractions
of the technological wonders. d) Prior
expectations from the speaker. e)
Evoking a memory association of an emotional memory. f) Personal history of being heard that
affects listening at present. g) Discomfort with personal interaction. (http://www.scribd.com/doc/59056144/Chap-1-The-Communication-Process)
G.K. Chesterton says, “There’s a lot of difference between listening and hearing.” So
true! And as a child we listen, often
without hearing. We miss so much when we
are not able to hear ‘heart to heart’.
Once I tried the M&M Method to teach second graders the skill of
knowing the left and the right. The
second graders lay lined up on the gym floor.
I gave the verbal command to lift the right leg, then the left arm, etc. After each successful movement I placed two
M&M’s in their hands. They soon
learned the directions, however, we can’t go through life expecting M&M’s
to be dropped into our hands.
true! And as a child we listen, often
without hearing. We miss so much when we
are not able to hear ‘heart to heart’.
Once I tried the M&M Method to teach second graders the skill of
knowing the left and the right. The
second graders lay lined up on the gym floor.
I gave the verbal command to lift the right leg, then the left arm, etc. After each successful movement I placed two
M&M’s in their hands. They soon
learned the directions, however, we can’t go through life expecting M&M’s
to be dropped into our hands.
What a blessing it is to hear God’s Word. For with each passing year, I hear ever more
clearly that I am God’s child and He is my friend. Each passing year I see more of His path and
His mercy for me. This morning, my dear
husband came slowly to the kitchen table for breakfast smiling. I asked him why he was smiling. His answer thrilled me. “I am so thankful for
all my blessings – for you and for our dear children and grandchildren. God is so good!”
clearly that I am God’s child and He is my friend. Each passing year I see more of His path and
His mercy for me. This morning, my dear
husband came slowly to the kitchen table for breakfast smiling. I asked him why he was smiling. His answer thrilled me. “I am so thankful for
all my blessings – for you and for our dear children and grandchildren. God is so good!”
Blessed is the man who walks not in the
counsel of the wicked, nor stands
in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat
of scoffers; but his delight is
in the law of the Lord, and
on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
counsel of the wicked, nor stands
in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat
of scoffers; but his delight is
in the law of the Lord, and
on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
Does God listen to us, heart to heart? The answer
is, “YES!”. We are His children. He loves us and disciplines us, His
children. “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises
every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:6
is, “YES!”. We are His children. He loves us and disciplines us, His
children. “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises
every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:6
Listening!
Every morning I awake
Ready to give the day a go
The sun may be shining
The way seems cloudy
though.
though.
I Hear His sweet Voice
Giving me a Holy Choice.
Help my heart to hear
His wisdom-words so dear
When I listen to You
The world fades away.
I’m listening and I know
Your Peace enters in to
stay.
stay.
Are you listening?
Can you not hear?
The Lord is calling,
He is very near?
Yes, Lord, I whisper,
Yes, Lord, I hear.
Yes, Lord, I’ll follow.
Yes, Lord, I’ll not fear.
(eac)
Comments? eacombs@att.net