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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Hugh?!

The other day, I had a gal over to my house. She was a real sweet lady with 3 kids. She just recently pulled them out of public school and she wanted to see how I home school. It was a fun occasion for me. I don't have a captive audience all that often, and I was determined to make the most of it. The kids helped me clean off the school shelves, clean the house and give it some semblance of order. My children called this "deceptive" on my part.
As I pulled textbooks, workbooks and notebooks off the school shelves in a flurry, I chattered on incessantly, almost forgetting to breathe. I was so excited about having the opportunity to show someone about what we do. I also gave her my latest copy of "Home School Enrichment Magazine". It always has a lot of good articles. When I had exhausted my curriculum's, teaching styles and misc "tips", I actually stopped to breathe and listen to her questions. I forced myself to be silent other than to discuss what topics she wanted to bring up. My voice was actually hoarse afterward, and I was a little bit embarrassed that I had talked so much! After 15 years of home schooling children, I had a lot to impart, and she was the first one who gave me her undivided attention!
For days afterward, I kept thinking "that was so much fun"! Not so much that sitting there at the table was fun, but more that some one listened to what I had to say for 2 1/2 hours, and actually appeared to be interested. Wow! I hope I can be that good of a listener some day! I have a hard time sitting still for 5 minutes. I am fidgeting and there is a little man across the wall preforming acrobatics to distract me.
It makes people feel valued when we listen to what they have to share. When we don't, its a personal insult saying "what you have to share really isn't worth my time". Here are some good scriptures about listening :

James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
Matthew 11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,That you may be wise in your latter days. 21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand
Proverbs 8:33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD;

Anyway, this week, I'm working on becoming a better listener. How about you?

10 comments:

Lois Christensen said...

Sounds like a great thing to work on. I need to work on keeping my mouth shut. Which I've been working on for the past few years and I can honestly say, it's working also. Enjoy your day!

toytrkman said...

Gee, I have a lot to say here. It seems that since I was young, few people have wanted to hear what I have to say. Not that I am some great one that should be listened to, but surely something I have to say is of value. Maybe it is because I'm quiet and soft spoken. I don't know. But usually when I converse with somebody I ended up smiling and nodding my head with an occasional, uh huh. Typically I tire of the conversation rather quickly and end up shutting up. If somebody doesn't want to listen for a bit, than ok, I'll shut up and they can listen to themselves blab on and on. They come from all walks of life, some of them are Ministers (they seem to be the worst, sorry to say), some are people with similar hobbies or areas of expertise as me, and others are just new people I just meet. I've listened to people talk and talk about some problem they are trying to work out and I know exactly what they need to solve it. I've even tried to tell them. But instead they won't shut up for long enough to hear. They were so close to the answer, yet so far as I then just shut up. So I say this to maybe help you all become better listeners. You just may learn something. Anyhow, good post!

Melanie Eccles said...

So glad you liked my "adorkable" blog...it's more true than you know! lol

I enjoyed reading a few of your posts and getting to "know" you..living in the Montana Mountains must be glorious. I would LOVE that!

Becky said...

It is so wonderful that the Lord used you to help someone. I always get excited about that too.

I like what toytrkman had to say. I tend to be on the quiet side myself, I have friends that tell me they can tell me anything unlike other friends they have. Sometimes I will talk a lot, but when I do I get a feeling I am being selfish talking about myself. I should not burden others. A lot of people these days want someone to tickle their funny bone; make them feel happy. They do not want to be burdened.

Anonymous said...

Always a good reminder, us women do tend to chatter on and on...

Ron & Maria said...

Thanks for the awesome comment you left for me! Big smile over here.

About this 'listening more' thing.... yup - I'm trying that too. And the one I want to hear the most? God. If I am still long enough and seek his wisdom, I hear him loud and clear, it's when I think I'm too busy (more like too thick!) I miss the quiet message until after it too late, or almost late - now if I can just apply some of that to the people near me.... I'm trying.... I want to be a quiet listening blessing to others.

Rena Jones said...

What a great post. I can see how this would happen and you'd be excited about sharing something that you've devoted 15 years of your life too. I'd have done the same thing!

Molly Betsy @ Star Cottage said...

HAHA I love your honesty. I have been working on talking less also. I try to remind myself of what my mom used to say to me.
"God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we can hear twice as much as we say." I think it's a good one to remember as I try and hold my tongue ;)
As for your day sharing your wisdom with a new homeschooling mom I am so happy for you both sounds like a great day for you both. I am soon to shadow a mother of seven that homeschools her children. I can't wait, and hope to be as attentive as your dear friend was, and glean as much knowledge as I posibly can in one day.
Many Blessings,
Molly

K Grace said...

I love it when people think homeschooling is awesome. That's because some people in the surrounding towns think the homeschoolers are the reason the school is failing. So we get criticism and admiration both. Lol. I like admiration better! I am actually a great listener. I don't talk a lot but when I do talk I can talk your ear off...if I know you really well, that is. I have been told it is really easy to talk to me. I like that.

Unknown said...

Wow. This is amazing. I am glad there was somebody who could listen to what you've been doing so very well for these many years.
I have been working on keeping my hands of Fragile things. The have this repulsion from my hands... hehe

Have a great day!:)