This post will be the first one I have written without a direct question to answer from my website colleague, Carol, who has ‘retired’ from asking some amazing spiritual and challenging questions since we started in 2022.
The website Explore to Inspire has been refreshed and in this section I will be inviting various guests throughout the year to ask their own questions like Carol did and I will seek to find an understanding and answer to the question as based on the Bible.
In this post I want to reflect on why Carol and I had a passion to ask questions and find answers that readers of the website, which has been seen by thousands of people from many countries worldwide, might gain an understanding and an encouragement to embrace the Christian faith and learn from the amazing wisdom and practical application for living that the Bible offers.
I don’t know about you but I have often had it said to me: ‘Look, can you not see what’s happening’? ‘Listen to what is being said and not said and do not be so reactionary’? When we think of little children they have to learn how to see, listen, speak and read to be fully integrated into young and adult life and grow as a healthy individual. It is vital as adults to continue that process for healthy relationships in life situations.
Just before Christmas I observed that the mixer tap in our kitchen sink was leaking around the base of the spout.
My wonderful dad, Henry, was a master plumber. In my initial work experience I trained as an apprentice heating engineer so I have an awareness of how leaks present themselves and how to trace and then fix them. Thank you Micheile unsplash.com
I visited the local plumbers merchant and I acquired two new O rings and fitted them to the sprout and the problem leak was solved.
Continuing to think about seeing, hearing and responding I recall the raising of our two children and how we are currently caring for our grandchildren. I am realising afresh how we have to observe signs of sickness, particular behaviour and activity, and respond as best we can to ensure that our children and grandchildren’s needs are met and that they feel loved, nurtured and provided for.
There is an abundance of information these days as how to offer the best care for those we look after. There are lots of old and new insights and techniques as how to develop particular skills in listening to the signs expressed by those we care for and then how appropriate to apply any required discipline, tender care and practical guidance.
I think we would all agree that, in any time spent with family, friends and individuals, it is important to have and show empathy, sympathy and understanding as to where and why people respond in certain ways and ensure we have a good measure of patience and forbearance ready to apply.
In my training as a Life Coach, one of the core skills to learn was active listening. In working with clients I had to listen hard as to what they wanted to work on and, most importantly, listen to what they were saying and not saying before asking any general or pointed questions. The art of listening also includes an awareness of people’s body language and together will help us to see, hear and respond better to the requirements of those we are listening to.
In my work as a Minister of Religion, I have supported many families who had lost their loved ones. I would seek to listen very hard when visiting them to what their immediate concerns and losses were. I would look to establish heartfelt empathy and sympathy and an appropriate rapport. Then I would carefully listen further to answers from questions I would have to ask so as to build a loving life picture of the person they had lost.
If I did not understand properly the immediate concerns of the families and did not respond in a good manner then my time with them especially before, during and after the funeral service, could quite easily cause offence and discomfort to all concerned.
Over many years I have worked with numerous Funeral Directors in Greater Manchester and around Christmas time I would normally visit the offices to leave with them a Christmas card and some biscuits for all to enjoy and share. One year within the Christmas cards I enclosed the verse from Isaiah 50: 4:
‘The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.’
My challenge, just like the lady in the photo, is to listen and understand the needs of all the people I have contact with.
To discern from the Lord what to do and say and what not do and say trusting that I have words and actions which may sustain the weary.
Thank you Eric Mok unsplash.com
In reality and on a daily basis we all like to tell people what we feel they should do or not do. We seek to impose our way instead of trying to discern what is taking place in other people’s lives for whatever reason. It is far better to help and encourage them find their own solutions to their problems so that they grow in self-understanding, confidence and feel loved.
As I enter into this new season with Explore to Inspire, the purpose of my writings is to try very hard to observe life as best I can with all its joys and to celebrate it. Also to feel and appreciate people’s daily pain, loss and sadness and try to understand and apply how God’s love and grace can change and empower them, in our weariness and strength, for new seasons with greater faith and fortitude.
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship
Explore to Inspire 