Patient Listening

Do you know what it’s like to have someone really listen to you? The gift of listening is rare in our world. Knowing that God loves us and longs for reconciliation of the whole creation is motivation enough to develop this much-needed practice.

Compassion. Our listening begins in seeking to see with God’s own compassionate eyes. In the other person we seek a sister or brother. We listen with new ears because the story that they tell is also partly our story.

Attentiveness. Our world is filled with sights and sounds competing for our attention. We cannot listen well enough until we tune out what distracts us and give our full attention to the one we need to hear.

Receptivity. Sometimes listening is easy; other times it is more challenging. In our patient, receptive listening, the other person may begin to sense the grace of God.

Hospitality. To be hospitable is to make an open space so others can come in; it gives room for them to be who they are. It means being welcoming to others even while still strangers.

from “Tools for Patient Listening” by E. Louise Williams that appeared in the January/February 2005 issue of Lutheran Woman Today.