Listen With Your Eyes
Pay attention. Listen well! Isaiah 17:28 Voice
A few years ago when my kids were little I had a very hectic schedule. Between pastoring a church alongside my husband, I worked a full-time job.The rush to get homework done, dinner on the table and kids ready for bed was usually a blur. One such evening stands out in my mind. I was at the kitchen sink washing the dishes when I felt a tug on my pant leg. I looked down and saw my son sitting on the floor looking up at me.
“Listen, Mommy,” he said.
“Okay sweetheart. Mommy is listening,” I said impatiently.
“No, Mommy, I mean really listen,” was his reply.
He did this several more times until finally he said something that caught my attention.
“Mommy, listen with your eyes.”
It is easy to get so busy that we stop truly listening to the most important ones in our lives. Listening is an action not an afterthought. With all of our electronic devices it can be harder than ever to truly focus on what others are saying. You need to look at them to observe their body language and validate them.
There is no act of love greater than thoughtful, loving listening.
How do you increase the listening factor in your family gatherings?
Create a signal
In our household, the signal that you need to be heard is pulling on your right ear. It’s the same movement as when you play ‘charades’. You will usually have the other person say, “Sounds like…” The response can be “…that I need someone to be a sounding board.” It may take a few times but they will get it.
Use a cell phone basket
Last Christmas dinner I put a cute bow on a basket. I put my phone in it and passed it around. I didn’t have to make a huge speech. I simply let the kids know that they could get their cell phones back once the meal and presents were over. It worked! In fact, the teenagers were policing their parents on the use of cell phones at the table.
Prayer
Forgive me, Lord, for my self-absorption and concern for the wrong things. I appreciate the reminder that these little ones will soon be grown and will not need me to listen. In fact, allow me to teach them well so that when it’s my turn to want a listening ear they will put their electronic devices down and ‘listen with their eyes’. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
28 Ways to Honor and Love Series
For more inspiration on how to honor and love those closest to you during this season of love click here.
Author, speaker, corporate trainer, ordained minister and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. Her books will inspire you to embrace hope no matter what you are going through.
