It is always a curious thing to see what others are reading. Do they like a good mystery? A novel which weaves good relationships? Thought provoking non-fiction?
When blogging friend, Linda Stoll, made her next book club announcement for some reason it grabbed my attention. I admit, I haven’t ever joined in any book club discussion but this recent announcement kept pulling me back.
Linda recommended The Listening Life by Adam S. McHugh. I’m reading more slowly than the group and I’m OK with my lack of speed. The book is wonderful and stirring and stretching me in every way. Hopefully, it will also bring growth.
The book sparked my curiosity as I notice how little we truly listen to those around us. Sure, we hear, but are we truly listening?
Distraction abounds all around us and multitasking is something which many take pride. But something is lost, and suffers loss, when we are not fully present.
And yes, fully is my One Word for 2024.
We know when we are in a conversation with a person who is distracted or not interested. But God does not listen to us this manner. He listens to us intently, and with intent.
This is why the psalmist was able to say:
“Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.” (Psalm 31:2, NLT)
This one verse speaks of four things:
- God turns His ear to listen to me. To each of us. Astounding thought. To think that He purposely inclines His ear towards us to hear what we have to say.
- He rescues us. He listens to us with intention and His intent is to rescue us.
- He brings stability because He is our rock of protection.
- He keeps us safe.
And it all begins with God listening to us.
“The question that drives this book is, how would our relationships change, and how would we change, if we approached every situation with the intention of listening first What if we approached our relationship with God as listeners? What if we viewed our relationship with nature as one of listening? What if we approached our relationships using our ears rather than our mouths? What if we sought to listen to our emotions before we preached to them?”
(from The Listening Life by Adam McHugh, page 13)
When God listens to us, hears us, He also sees us. And this is truly what we all long for – to be seen. To know our lives matter. We want to know we are not invisible to those around us.
Through the act of listening to one another, we join into their thoughts, their emotions, and their lives. We let them know they are important to us. We let them realize we see them, we want to be with them, and they walk away knowing they are loved.
May I listen fully
to God
and others.
I highly recommend the book and Linda’s book club. She is always open to comments and conversations, even for those of us taking a slower pace.
Week One can be found HERE,
Week Two can be found HERE.
Week Three can be found HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Frances Gunn on Unsplash
Today I may be joining … Tell His Story
Love that book!
Love Linda and her skillful leadership!
I definitely join you in recommending the book club as a way to read the book with understanding.
This is my first read of this book. I have much to learn from both the book and Linda! I am so appreciating both!
What an amazing truth that the God of the universe inclines His ear to listen to us! Part of loving like He loves is taking time to truly listen to others.
May we grow and come to both love and listen as He does. Truly my prayer.
Joanne, thanks for the way you’ve added richness to the Listening Life discussions … looks like we’re still all in learning mode. Take your time in savoring this important work … no one’s going anywhere!
ox
I so appreciate the grace you provide, Linda, for those of us going slowly. The book is wonderful and not one to rush through. Well, at least for me. I want to apply what I am learning. Thank you for the way you are sharing your wisdom!
Joanne, I love how you are taking your own pace with Linda’s book club. Lately I’ve been looking back at my earlier life and noticing how I often missed the mark when it came to listening well. Since I can’t go back and redo anything, I’m trying to do better now. The older I get, the more I want to be a person truly listens.
Lois, taking my own pace did not come easily for me. I found myself stressed to keep up and realized in so doing, I was missing the richness of the book. I so agree with you, the older I am getting, the more I want to be a woman who listens, who hears the heart of others.
Listening is such a vital skill, Joanne. I think this is a critical aspect, “When God listens to us, hears us, He also sees us. And this is truly what we all long for – to be seen.” May we be Christlike by listening to others to such a degree that they feel heard, seen, and valued.
I’ve been enjoying Linda’s posts on the book, but I have too many books going so I haven’t gotten the book myself. Thanks for another nudge.
The Listening Life is a timeless book. I read it a few years ago, and I have been reading Linda’s blogs (and the comments from her readers) that’s allowed me to revisit the act of listening well. What strike’s me is slowing down is the first step, but that might be my focus since my word is Relax this year. In other words, learning to slow down, and be unhurried. We can’t listen well when we are in a hurry!
I frequently mention the story of a little girl who told her mom to “listen with your eyes.” Thank you for your great insight, Joanne.
I’m kind of with Debbie, too many books and commitments right now. But I see the value of listening better, especially since our God is such a faithful listener and wants us to love people that way, too. I may need to add it to my list! Thanks for the encouragement to be a better listener, Joanne!
Joanne, such good thoughts. Your word of the year really has so many possibilities!
The quote from Adam McHugh’s book is so rich and offers much food for thought. Indeed, listening seems a lost art. We all have so much to say. What if we DID approach every conversation with the intention of listening first?
Even more so, what if we approached our time with God having that same intention? Instead of a “prayer list”, what if we chose instead a posture of silent listening, with “ears to hear” as Jesus often said?
I know I need this so much in my life and have started to incorporate a quiet time before God simply to listen before I launch into any requests.
Thank you for the review Joanne. I hosted a local book club for the last five years.
This year we retired it… Change is my word for this year & it seems change happens where we least expect it.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
I had intended to reread The Listening Life along with Linda’s book club, but never pulled it back out. I’m glad you’re enjoying it FULLY at your own pace. I’ve recently added the word “slow” at the top of my to-do list every day to remind me to to stop rushing through activities, and better enjoy them more fully as they come, including reading books. 🙂