Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Being Gods Ears

I have a dear friend that had back surgery several weeks ago. Yesterday she went to the doctor’s office to get her stitches removed only to be told that the incision didn't look good and they were readmitting her to the hospital. Needless to say she was a bit upset to have to go back in the hospital.

I went to the hospital to visit her today. She is a sweet woman with a huge heart and the most encouraging person I know. She gives encouragement to everyone she meets. In her job as a children’s counselor she has a gift with helping people. But when I walked in to her room she was crying and it was my turn to encourage her.

As we were talking she said something that I thought about all the way home. In her line of work she sees many that need her expertise but sometimes there are those that only really need a friend to talk too. She doesn't charge high prices but most counselors do. And there are some clients that will pay 12o dollars an hour just to have someone to talk too.

It set me thinking about how we as Christians need to be Gods ears. We need to care enough to sit and listen to someone in need. To be that friend to talk too.

Sometimes we just need a human pair of ears to hear us. We need someone to give us a nod of encouragement and the touch to our hand that says I hear you. Life is complicated and yes we can and should go to God with everything. But once in a while we just need a little God with flesh on. That can only come from another believer being used by God to show his love and compassion.

These days we have so much media coming at us. So much noise to cloud our thoughts. We are assaulted by pictures and words from every angle. These things affect us and make it difficult to keep a calm and peaceful mind. It creates thoughts that take us to places we don't want to go but end up at anyway. In times like ours, I believe we need someone to listen even more. We see so much more with our eyes then any other generation, how do we process it all.

We must begin to slow down and see those around us. Put ourselves in there lives and care. Stop trying to fix all the problems and leave that part up to God. Our part is to listen and pray. God will do the rest.

11 comments:

Billy Coffey said...

Very good, Sherri. So many times we worry about what to say to someone, when many times all they want, all they need, is for someone to listen.

Jan said...

Excellent post. Good advice.

Anonymous said...

thanks sherri

Unknown said...

I love how you wrote "Sometimes we just need a little God with flesh on." What an awesome statement.

I agree with everything you've written; we need to slow down (something I'm not my best at) and see and listen to those around us so that we take ourselves off of us to bless someone else, which in turn ends up blessing all the more.

Great post!

Oh, and thanks for making the comment on my blog. I had never once heard of that poem by the 15 yr. old, yet it's said to have been circulating since 2002.

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Oh Sherri, I so needed this one today. Leaving the fixing things to God and just listen and be there. I've been battling with some things going on around me, and you just gave me the answer. I guess I needed to hear it from someone esle other than my son and husband. You are a blessing dear friend.
The listening part I have been doing a lot of, and am thankful we are able to do this. You posted some great words here today! Thank You.
Love and Blessings,
Tammy

wayfarerjon said...

Excellent post. What you have written about is absolutely vital. We are like headless chickens if we don't listen to God, ourselves and others. To be someone who listens or know someone who listens is precious indeed. The person you mention must be special.

Anonymous said...

Great post Sherri, I should have had you write the last post in my Secrets series instead of just stopping because I couldn't come up with a good enough post.

Everyone has secrets, everyone has burdens that they need to share.

It's part of being the family of God to allow people to share them with us without preaching at them or judging them.

Thanks for the reminder!

Gigi said...

Really great post timely I think you would call it...THANKS

Beth in NC said...

That is great advice. God help us slow down enough to listen and love.

Bless you!
Beth

Anonymous said...

Amen Sherri, there is a time to speak and a time to listen. There are many times people just want someone to listen to them. They don't want you giving them advice on what they should and should not do. Listening is a powerful tool which God has given us. Why else would He give us two ears and just one mouth?

Love you!

Sherri Watt said...

Thanks everyone, I am so thankful for God using me in the ways He has. What a majestic, glorious, spledid, amazing God we serve.

God Bless!