How many of us really listen to each other? Most arguments I  noticed, we have is due to lack of listening. All to often when talking with or to others we assume what they are gonna say or what they mean. We are often busy and have lots to do. So when on the phone or in person our thoughts or mind are multi tasking. That needs to stop.When you are speaking with someone we should stop what we are doing and give them our full attention.  Listen to to what is being said and try not to ask me or guess their thoughts. They need your attention. Don’t guess,  just listen.

 I  noticed and have been guilty of it myself. People post on Facebook and walk away. sometimes  there’s no time to read others posts but it’s the same in real life. You have a need to  speak, we all do.  That’s  normal. Keep in mind as much as you need someone to listen to you. Your friends, your love one and family need you to listen to them as well. We need each other. Its called fellowship. We get depressed and lonely  because we talk talk talk, and it feels like no one is listening. Then we feel we don’t  matter, no one cares  and eventually  we stop talking to others  all together.  There is power in having someone listen to you. You feel acknowledged and important. My  local pastor is amazing when it comes to listening. I think it’s a gift, or  maybe it took her time to train herself to be a good listener. I respect her and admire her so much just because  she takes the time to really listen to others.

I have been working on listening better. I  want to be more helpful. So let me ask you to try next time some one wants your  attention stop what your doing and listen. You may even save a life… I want to be more like my local pastors wife. (She knows who she is.)  I once  asked a cashier at  a store how she was doing.  She latter told me that she had told God if no one had asked her how she was that day she was gonna commit suicide.  You never know what some one is going though unless you ask.  I know some people who have a hard  time talking about personal issues they are dealing with.  They just don’t like to be open. They feel exposed and vulnerable.  We all crave companionship. We were made to there for one another.  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ~John 13:34  “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”~Hebrews 10:24-25

Especially when people are sick the bible is specif  on this. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth..”~James 5:14-17 (ESV)

 I challenge you to be a better listener, to be a  Slow down and  just be with who you are with. Life moves so fast,  and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Take the time to connect with others. I need to tell myself that too. There are times I want to  hide,, or I get  busy and I forget to  stop and  just be.  You are not  the only one.

God bless you today and always!

╰ღ╮ Amy Jane Sandberg╰ღ╮