Listening, A Most Beautiful Gift

I am preparing for a presentation tomorrow. I just created this image to represent the idea that when listening is NOT the priority in a relationship, talking becomes a black hole.

And it ultimately disappears.

When I listen to you, it reflects that I am curious about you, I want to know you - I SEE you. That's right, our ears are often the best way to express that I see.

Without listening, talking becomes irrelevant. Unnecessary. And dare I say, unwanted. Who wants to talk when no one is listening?

I have heard many people from broken relationships say "we just stopped talking." And I've come to know, that quite often, that's because one or both never started listening.

I have heard it suggested that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. I don't believe there is theological support for that. But I won't be surprised to one day have a conversation with God when he leans over, and I will be listening quite intently as he winks at me and says, "yep - that whole two ear one mouth thing theory - it was true..."

It's such a longed for and beautiful gift we can offer one another.

Listening.