Learning to Listen

James 1:19, "Know this, my beloved brothers:  let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."

At the conclusion of doing Beth Moore's study on James, James 1:19 has continued to stand out to me.  I have always heard it said, "God gave you two ears and one mouth...you should listen more than you speak."  I need at least 10 ears to my one mouth to honestly say that I listen more than I speak, but the fine art of listening is something I want to always improve.

Over these past few days I have discovered that I can learn so much by listening.  Yesterday I had a pretty bad case of the stomach bug and was in our house all day.  I listened to the sound of children playing at school.  I listened to the never ending "street music" from the car horns and people working.  I listened to the roosters that have no clue what time they are supposed to crow, so they do it all day long.  My listening did not just consist of listening to things outside my window...

I "listened" to several girlfriends of mine as I read their blogs online.  I listened to them talk about the work of the Lord in their lives in the U.S., Nepal, India, and the list continues.  I listened to the good moments, and listened to the moments that need to be lifted up in prayer.

Through my time in the Word, I have asked the Lord to truly help me LISTEN.  Oh to simply, "Be still," Psalm 46:10, and LISTEN to the Words of our great God.

LISTEN today.  KOUTE jodi a.