Listening for God's Sake

There are so many times when I say, "yeah", "uh huh", and "I know" to my kids. Was I really listening to what they had to say to me? Some days, yes, most definitely, but other days, probably not. When we listen for God's sake, we sit down and really try to place God in the center of our conversations, whether they are with our children, our spouses, our co-workers or our parents. When we put God in the middle of our conversation we do something called Holy Listening. Holy Listening lets the person we are in communion with know that they are important to us and precious in God's sight. This kind of listening is a way into the heart and faith life of those we love. This kind of listening helps us to bring God's Kingdom into our houses, our families and our hearts.
How do you do it? Well, when you feel like you are in the midst of needing a serious listen to your loved one, pray first. Pray that God will help to clear your mind of distractions, the dinner can wait, so can the bills and the television show. Pray that God will allow you to hear with your heart. Then listen. Listen to what your loved one has to say to you, listen to what they really need, what they really want and what they are really feeling. You don't have to worry about answers, just reassure them that you hear what it was they had to say to you. If an answer is asked for, let it go until later. Let them try to come up with the answer on their own. You may be amazed how often our loved ones just want to know that they have been heard.

School is just around the corner, and that means, if you haven't had a busy summer already, the busy school year is upon us. Your homework from Pastor Lori: Take time as a family each day, whatever works for you, and pray together. Listen to each other. Read a Scripture verse together. Find a family devotional to share. You will be amazed how much closer you will get when you put God in the middle of your family time.

Don't forget to bring your backpacks to church with you on Aug 16 or 17, for our ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS!!!