Jason Fix Please

NOTES OF HOPE

DECEMBER 18, 2018

“LISTEN”

For a Notes of Hope, I’m always on the lookout for a message to write about.  Generally that message, in various forms, has to come to me three different times before I write about it.  That helps me reflect on what I can learn from any such message.  This time it was the word “listen” that kept coming to me.

As a young adult, I was very quiet, painstakingly quiet.  I listened but didn’t contribute much.  People often commenting about it in ways not always kind.  It was a difficult time, but I overcame it by learning the art of active listening.  Once I posed a proper question, people would take off talking and talking, so I could just listen and listen.  

Last week a mom agonized with me about her daughter being so quiet and how uncomfortable it was for the young girl and those around her.  Deja vu!  Being quiet is often seen as a sign of weakness; but, our greatest weaknesses are also our greatest strengths.  Instead of unkind words about me being so quiet, now I’m often told that I’m a very good listener.  I relayed to the mom how I am sure her daughter is also a very good listener!  

Following former President George Bush’s death, I heard on NPR that when Bush had a few moments of down time, he’d pick up the phone and call a world leader to ask them how they were doing.  There are transcripts of every call he made.  Those transcripts reveal Bush mostly listening to the other leaders.  When I picture a transcript, I picture a lot of words.  Now, picture a transcript of listening.  To me it is such a great compliment to have your life be one of listening and people knowing that they were listened to by you!

One hymn we sing that often resonates in my head says:

“Listen,
Listen God is calling
Through the Word inviting,
Offering forgiveness,
Comfort and joy!"                                          

In prayer, we often think of talking with God.  But it is in listening that we hear God.  Sitting in silence and listening for God can be so, so valuable  It is also valuable to listen for God while talking with friends, as God speaks to us through others; and while walking in the world, as God speaks to us through the things we see; and even while listening to NPR, for God speaks to us through media of all types.

May you listen, for God is calling you to great things in small ways!