Hearing or Listening?

It was about dinnertime the other night. Kid2 and kid3 were intensely working on attaining the next level for a video game they’d been going at for awhile. Twice I had asked them if they were at a point that they could pause and help out with last minute dinner readiness. I poked my head out from the kitchen into the other room and asked in that firm mommy tone “Did you hear me??” Kid 2 looked over his shoulder quickly and said “More precisely mom – what you might want to ask is if we’re listening.” I raised an eyebrow and cleared my throat at which point the game was paused and I immediately had two helpers in the kitchen.



As I reflect on the past week, I find myself standing still with hearing and listening.
Two words I often perceive as being interchangeable similar in meaning. For the most part, I guess they are. But there is a difference, however subtle. Hearing refers really refers to the more physical aspect of registering sound – to perceive by the ear speech or sound recognition; the faculty of perceiving sound vibrations. Listening has more to do with the attention one gives to that which is heard – to heed; to attend closely for the purpose of hearing.


Standing still I wonder of myself – am I in the habit of hearing or listening? I think that my child’s perceptive comment was a reminder for me. I need to strive for listening each day – be attentive and engaged in my daily interactions with others. I especially need to be listening, not hearing, in my relationship with the Heavenly Father. I wonder how many times He’s raised His eyebrow at the use of my hearing.


Another thought comes to mind that makes me smile – I can know with certainty that God both hears and listens… attentively and lovingly.






Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—


Psalm 66:19 but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.

Screened Calls

I was spending time with a friend the other day.  During the course of conversation she voiced her feelings about people screening their phone calls.  From her point of view it simply is rude and frustrating.  I bit my lip, took a breath and - with what I’m sure was somewhat sheepish look - I stated, “I’m one of those people sometimes.”

Some calls are just plain irritating – sales calls, political calls, survey calls.

Sometimes it’s a bad time to talk.

Sometimes I might be in the middle of something and I just can’t get to the phone in time.

Sometimes it’s a matter of priorities (mealtime, helping with homework, etc.)

Sometimes it helps to know who’s calling so you can be in the right frame of mind to deal with an issue or a certain person.

Unless the call falls into that “irritating category”, I do get back to the caller – hopefully no one is ignored.

I know that I’ve been screened.  I’m okay with it.  My worth lies not in being deemed important enough to merit time and attention.  My worth lies in who I am.

I will say if one of my kids calls I drop everything to answer that call.

I too have a ‘parent’ that will drop everything to answer my call. My Heavenly Father doesn’t screen any of my calls. There’s no voice mail that I’m sent to.  I’m not on some B-List for priority in being heard or answered.  I am His kid- loved and redeemed.  He actually waits for me to call to pour out His love and He answers giving measure according to the fullness of His grace; blessings beyond expectations and belief.

John 1:16   From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

conversations

The start of the school year as brought with it a flurry of activity – the neighborhood gang meeting up as they go to and come from school, friends coming and going to study or just ‘hang’ and ‘chill’, teams practicing for and playing game, going to other friend and community sport events, school sponsored events, youth group times, etc. 

As a mom, one of my favorite things to do during these times is to watch how my kids interact with those around them.  I love being the ‘fly on the wall’.  I just sit and listen.  As I’ve sat back and listened, I have found moments that are humorous, moments that touch the heart and moments of insight. 

I’ve heard:

conversation

Small talk

Banter

Yakking

Chit-Chat

Comments

Venting

Discussion

Expression

Gossip

Remarks

Debate

Visiting

A Powwow

As I stand still, I think about all the different ways we communicate – exchange thoughts, information, and feelings by the spoken word.  Each of these words describes a particular form of communication that has its own intent, interaction, meaning and indication of level of relation, engagement and comfort between participants.   The more people communicate – regardless of form – deeper bonds form; deeper understanding occurs.

Conversations accomplish more than just verbal exchange.

This leads me to thoughts about my prayer life.  Prayer is more than rote memory or requests happening at meals, before bed or in a church.  I like and need to think about prayer as a conversation throughout my day with God - having a chat with Him, expressing my thoughts and feelings, venting my fears, having a powwow about life plans, or debating a life issue.  In this conversation I need to realize there are two participants – I have a time to speak and a time to listen as He speaks (through His Word, through others, through His creation and directly to my heart).  I must admit, I could always be a better listener in this conversation. Through prayer as conversation – deeper bonds form; understanding occurs.

1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray continually.