Shhhh....

Can you hear that? Did you catch the sound of that sprout coming up out of the dirt? Or of the sun rising? Nope. But there they are, right in front of us nonetheless.

I'd like to ponder the art of listening today. Real listening. There are all kinds of resources that can help us become active listeners, engaged listeners, affirming listeners, even compassionate listeners. But knowing how to truly listen to another person speaking, to the words they're saying and not saying, to their body language, their tone of voice, their comfort levels--this is not something learned from an article or a book. We know them when they're with us, these gifts of human beings who look at us and truly see, who listen and truly hear. Having time together with them is more than a gift, it is a renewal and a promise and an experience of the Holy Spirit.

Think for a moment of a time when you felt really heard. Who was listening? Whisper a prayer of gratitude for that person right now. Then, think of a moment when you were talking but the other person simply didn't (or couldn't) hear you. Whisper a prayer of petition for that person right now. And finally, think of a moment when you were not as attentive to the person speaking to you as their dignity deserved. Do more than whisper a prayer for that person--consider reaching back out to him or her.

Here's the irony of listening: the more we listen, the more we hear. See if you can quiet yourself for just long enough to hear the resounding silence within your own head, within your own heart. Maybe you'll be surprised to find that you're not actually listening alone at all. God is there--God has been there all along...listening.