WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...can you hear me now?

A mother went to the back door one more time and called out to her daughter. The young girl was out in the back playing, but it was time to come inside. The mother called out, but there was no response. She knew her daughter had been heard. The daughter knew she had been called, but yet she did not respond. The mother went back inside to attend to the boiling over pot on the stove and finally, in her own sweet time, the young girl came inside. She said to her mother, "Mama, I'd have come in earlier if I had heard you calling!" hmmm - Sounds like "someone" was listening after all!

Listening is probably the MOST important part of communication. In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "What kind of communication do you use most often?" The top 3 responses were:

1. 25% responded and said they communicate face to face most.
2. Another 25% voted and said they communicate via facebook.

3. And another 25% said that they communicate by spending time with people.

It may not occur to you, but more time is spent on "listening" than any other form of communication. We listen more than we talk, read or write. This week's poll indicates that communicating takes alot more than just talking. Most of us have had to have some kind of training in writing and reading. We are taught to do those things, but very few of us have had any formal training in listening! It is through listening that we create an opportunity to truly know one another.

An excellent example of listening is Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. It was her house that Jesus went for fellowship and rest. Martha, the older sister, took her responsibilities as hostess very seriously. Jesus brought His disciples with Him, so there was much for Martha to prepare.

Mary was also excited about Jesus' visit. However, her focus was on the opportunity to be with Jesus Himself. She was so eager to be with Him that, even though women usually did not sit with the men, she joined the group so she could listen to what Jesus had to say.

Of course, this irritated Martha who was steadily busy with the preparations that Mary had no time to help her. So Martha with a complaining spirit, said to Jesus, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me."

Jesus response to Martha is exactly the response He would have to us when we tend to not listen...

"Martha, Martha, (or insert your name) you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41, 42)

Communication breakdown usually happens because someone is not listening. Do you remember that commercial for a cell phone company that said, "Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now?" That is exactly what the problem was with Martha and with so many of us today. We are so busy, running here and there, and fixated on telling others about our problems that we do not just be still and listen. If we would be still long enough, we might hear God say to us... "Can you hear Me now?"