I'm All Ears!

It is a dreary morning here and I can think of at least 10 other places I would rather be. But, it's where I'm called to be; so here I am. I've been thinking a lot about the gifts God has given me and I have come to the realization that those gifts bring about glorious surprises each day of my life. I have two gifts that I want to elaborate on--talker and listener.

It's been said that I could talk to a door knob. I'm still trying to decide if that's a compliment or not?! Although I'm not a real blabber mouth, I do love the art of conversation and I can hold my own with just about any individual. I love to hear people talk and it is always a great learning experience for me. I can really talk about anything in the world with anyone. Some of the most interesting topics I have encountered include marriage, relationships, and hunting--I'm an expert on none of these, but I have a wealth of information.

For instance, I know the secret ingredients for a marriage made in heaven and the poisons that will destroy a marriage. It's beyond me why people seek me out to talk about their marraige, but they do, and I listen. I think I could explain what men are from Mars and women are from Venus actually means. Doesn't it boil down to being understood and respected? Different does not have to equal mysterious.

I understand that human nature sometimes tricks us into compromising even the best relationships. Strangely enough, the ones we love the most are the ones we wind up hurting the most. I've had a first row seat to seeing hearts broken and promises voided. Isn't it true that we just get carried away and step on the closest breathing thing? Relationships come and go, this we know. But, for the life of me, I can't imagine one relationship in my life that I want to let go.

Not that I want to, but I could go deer hunting and carry out the entire process from the hunt, to the kill, to putting the meat in the freezer. I've never held a gun and most of the deer I have seen are running a marathon across the road. However, I have been walked through the delicate steps of hunting many times and they are varied and unique--the gospel for hunting according to whichever hunter I happen to be talking to. And mind you, I have only talked to professionals. In the web of words and emotion, I am there...in the woods...watching...waiting. And I understand why they get so darned excited!

Not only do I learn about new things, but I learn about the person talking to me. For in listening, I get a peek into their heart and understand the unlimited ways that I can encourage them in their daily walk. Everything that a person divulges takes me one step closer to who they really are. Bottom line: people want to talk about themselves; it makes them feel important. People want to matter to someone else...to believe they fit in the heart of another human being. People, although they may not realize it, hunger to have attention and intimacy through words. I find that it doesn't take long for people to trust me with their innermost thoughts and I love that! I talk first and then I simply listen.

I love to wrap every conversation I have with people in sparkling paper and a perfect red ribbon. Through the process of listening, I collect ideas so that I might encourage others in their life. O, the ways that you can make someone's day! Some love the gift of time, some cling to tangible treasures, and still others covet silent support. Being an encourager can mean a million different things, but it's easy to figure out if you just open your ears!