Blog for September 22nd, 2025
Listener
About three or four weeks ago, God laid a thought on me, an idea, a challenge, an awakening. He basically brought to my mind the need for me to become a better listener. This may go back to something my daughter told me a few months ago or it may be due to a meditation I read, but I don’t recall for sure.
No matter the origins of this thought, it is staying with me. I am trying not to share at meetings and not to interrupt when someone else is talking to me. I am trying to listen to others with more intent and interest. When I read my bible and do our meditations with my husband. I’m trying to be more mindful in digesting the words, the meanings and ideas.
I am also in prayer as to what it is God wants me to hear, what does He want me to learn? I know the verse, “be still and know that I am”. It’s been revealed to me many times in my life that when I am quiet and listening for God’s direction, for His voice and guidance, I am rewarded with not only answers, but peace.
When I am given those answers, it also becomes very important that I follow through with whatever it is that God has revealed to me, especially in solving my problems and worries and concerns. I must also mention that, if I ask for directions on a problem or concern, then I must be listening for the answer. Not just ask and turn away, go on my own way and try to solve the problem myself, that has never worked out, we call that “self-will run riot”. And truly, it is. But once I ask for guidance, I need to be paying attention and listening for the solution from my Higher Power and as the Eleventh Step says, “ and the power to carry it out”.
My God doesn’t just give me the answer and walk away, no, he stays around and helps me work through it. All I have to do is listen, pay attention. Quit talking and running amuck. Be still. Be still and know that I am.
I feel the challenge coming from God to listen better, to my husband, kids, grandkids, sponsees, friends even neighbors and strangers. When I am doing step work with a sponsee I listen very closely to them, I want to be able to respond to them as God would have me to do. I want to be a loving, caring person. My recovery has taught me to be a better person, more open to others feelings and needs. And I believe it is what He would have me to do.
The empathy and love we share around here enables me to be a better listener. I attend a certain morning zoom meeting regularly and there is a guy on there who always says “listening is an act of love” “so I will share the time”. And he thanks us for loving him because we listened to him share.
I believe what he says is true. I also know that when a friend of mine is in grief, especially deep grief, there are no words to fix their pain, just being there, just listening and if I am near them a hug is the best comfort I can offer. I have been on the other end of that situation and when I am grieving, I really don’t need peoples advice or to pontificate to me, I just want a friend or loved one to cry with and hug.
I am so grateful to my sponsor, husband and close friends who have listened to me and helped me through my pain, fears and hard situations just by listening. Thank you to all of them.
Question of the Week: Are you a good listener?
