August 26 is the birthday of Mother Teresa.  It’s a good time to give thought to this holy woman of God. Mother Teresa was the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to helping the poor. Considered one of the 20th Century’s greatest humanitarians, she was canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016.

I would like to share with you one of her quotes.  “Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart.”

We hear a similar message in James 1:19. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

We are so quick to talk.  Perhaps it is a sign of our times where the faces on TV emote a continuous stream of talk.  They give their opinions, their views, their ideas, all with the assumption that they are correct.  Any other view of course would then be wrong. Talk, talk, talk.  Do they ever listen?

How about us?  Real loving listening is a skill.  It is possible to listen intently to one another, regardless of whether we agree.  We don’t have to immediately come back with our rebuttal. We can listen respectfully, explore what another is saying, and why they may feel that way.  Arguing doesn’t solve the problem.  Listening just may increase our understanding of each other.  Listening from the heart is a God-given ability that we do well to practice.

Isn’t it awesome that our loving God really listens to us? 

Judy