“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.”
Jeremiah 29:12 ( RSV)
I was driving on my day off yesterday and started talking to Jesus, and I said, “You know Lord, it would be nice if you could sit in my passenger seat and we could just chat while I drive.”
After that, I began to think of instances with other people, where I tended to talk more than listen. I always feel compelled to give the right answer to someone or to teach something. I think I’ve been this way all my life, whether with my children, husband or my friends. As I was driving, I thought about my listening skills, and realized there’s a lot of work to be done there. If a person feels listened to by someone, they will return to talk more. If they feel more talked at, than listened to, they will probably not seek to develop a friendship.
Last weekend at a family party, I was speaking to my nephew’s wife, who is a professional counselor for trauma victims. We discussed a light range of subjects, but I so enjoyed talking to her, that afterward I pondered what a great listener she is. Then I sensed the Lord telling me that a good listener can be like a gift to someone, and there are moments in people’s lives when being heard means more than receiving all the right answers. As these thoughts filled my mind, while driving, I asked, “Am I currently having a chat with you, Jesus?”
I probably was, so I decided to ask Him to grow and develop my skill in listening. Having all the right answers are for tests and game shows, but when it comes to relationships, sometimes people just need to be heard. As I looked back at my life, I may have missed some opportunities to listen, but the beauty of abiding in Jesus, is that He isn’t looking for perfect people, who never make mistakes, just teachable people who can learn from them. Our whole life is a process of growing and developing skills, and even babies fall many times when they are learning to walk.
It’s never too late to become better, and Jesus will point out areas in our lives to improve on, especially when we practice His presence and have a chat with Him. At that moment while driving, I briefly glanced at the empty passenger seat and said, “Thanks for this chat, Jesus, I hear what you are saying to me.”
When we realize that the divine second person of the Holy Trinity, became a man in order to personally interact and speak with humanity, He is the same today, and still reaching out to chat and interact with each one of us.
Jesus, thank you for raising us up again, each time we become discouraged from failure. Open our hearts to your presence and incline our hearing to your daily chat with us, and show us how you are making us better people. Amen