March 27 – Listening

#86of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney

Today’s lesson is about listening.

I like to talk…a lot. Growing up some said I like to talk just to hear the sound of my own voice. I can’t totally disagree with that as I always have something to add to a conversation. In the past 24 hours, I had an experience and a friend had an experience that reminded me of how important it is to listen.

I was in the pool at the hotel, and this little boy just started talking to me. Nothing important, just talking and asking me questions. I listened to him, smiled at him, and answered his questions. Then he left with a smile on his face. Today a friend was at the store and a young boy starting talking to her. Telling him that his friend was killed in a car crash. It was out of the blue. She listened to him, told him that he was a good friend to his friend who had passed, and just listened to him. Both of these encounters are fleeting, but the impact can last a lifetime. Just being quiet and listening to someone can change their lives. We don’t know their life experiences or situations. We don’t know what is going on. But having someone, even a complete strange, give up their time to listen and care, can be priceless.


“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” – Matthew 7:24

“If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” – Exodus 15:26


Listening carefully to God and doing what is right in his eyes, you will no be diseased and have a strong foundation. God talks about listening to his word throughout the Bible. Listening and then putting into action. It’s not about talking all the time. Yes, God wants us to pray, but then we need to listen. He will tell us how he is going to help us and how we are going to help others. If you speak all the time, you can not listen to what he is saying to you. You can not see the path he has set for you.

That little boy in the pool and the boy in the grocery store needed someone to listen. If we were speaking or on our phones or a hundred other things, we could not listen. That listening helped them, even if only for that moment, but it helped them. You never know who needs a smile or a caring ear.

Are you willing to listen more and talk less? Are you willing to be open to a stranger who just wants someone, anyone to listen? Are you willing to listen to someone who might be annoying or talk too long but truly needs a caring ear?

I am willing (with the help of God)

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