Listening says "You matter to me"

Listening is a lost art these days. We donโt listen well and we arenโt used to being listened to. When Job was in great pain, his friends were โmiserable comfortersโ (Job 16:2), for he complained: โOh, that I had someone to hear me!โ (Job 31:35). Job was not alone in his longing. We all want to be heard and listening is an effective way of helping others. Listening says, โYou matter to me.โ When you fidget, glance at your watch and appear to be rushed - youโre not listening. When you fail to maintain eye contact - youโre not listening. When you donโt ask follow-up questions - youโre not listening. Yes. Listening is hard work and most of us are unwilling to set aside our own timetable and tendency to hurry on to our next destination. May you and I, by Godโs grace acquire a listening ear. Shared by Sir Ron