May 24
One Thing
My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19 (NLT)
Let the wise listen and add to their learning….
Proverbs 1:5a (NIV)
T. Suzanne Eller in her book, Real Issues Real Teens, asked hundreds of teenagers some simple, direct questions. Their answers were sometimes expected, sometimes eye opening. When she asked the question, “If your parents could do one thing to impact you, what would it be?” the answers essentially came to the same point: “Please listen to me.”
Whether you are a salesperson helping a customer, a parent dealing with your own family, or just trying to discern God’s will for your life—listening is important. Listening becomes especially critical when it comes to helping our youth make that steady transition from childhood to adulthood.
Ms. Eller points out many communication obstacles, but a primary means to overcome them all is to listen—just listen—without commenting, without judging or reacting, and without trying to fix problems. By listening, we show we care, we earn trust, and we learn things we never knew.
It all starts when we stop talking and open our ears.
Father, help me pursue others with a listening ear. Help me not to judge but to listen. Amen.
One Thing
My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19 (NLT)
Let the wise listen and add to their learning….
Proverbs 1:5a (NIV)
T. Suzanne Eller in her book, Real Issues Real Teens, asked hundreds of teenagers some simple, direct questions. Their answers were sometimes expected, sometimes eye opening. When she asked the question, “If your parents could do one thing to impact you, what would it be?” the answers essentially came to the same point: “Please listen to me.”
Whether you are a salesperson helping a customer, a parent dealing with your own family, or just trying to discern God’s will for your life—listening is important. Listening becomes especially critical when it comes to helping our youth make that steady transition from childhood to adulthood.
Ms. Eller points out many communication obstacles, but a primary means to overcome them all is to listen—just listen—without commenting, without judging or reacting, and without trying to fix problems. By listening, we show we care, we earn trust, and we learn things we never knew.
It all starts when we stop talking and open our ears.
Father, help me pursue others with a listening ear. Help me not to judge but to listen. Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 9:53 PM
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