|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Print September 17, 2007 By Cylinda Nickels
Why all the talk and so little communication? I am amazed by this.
True Listeners or Life Givers My father always taught my brother and me to ask questions in conversations. He made it clear that if we were good listeners, the person will walk away going, “Wow. She was the most interesting person in the world” when really they were talking about themselves the whole time. People want a safe harbor; a person that they can talk to.
My pastor’s wife is excellent at bringing out the best in others. She should be a closer: You know the person that they call into the interrogation room? that can get anyone to talk? She has a knack for making people feel at home because she actually asks questions and listens; she listens with her eyes, ears, her face, and her expressions.
While at School of Missions there is a great missionary that has been friends with my husband and I and my parents for many years. He has a great way of just letting you exhale in his presence and be yourself. I began to talk to him (after he asked, and really wanted to know) about my burden for MKs (missionary kids). As I began to tell him how the Lord has opened this up in stages, I began to share things with him from my heart that were so dear to me I began to weep as I talked to him. By his listening to me—and being available and genuine concern and openness with me—I heard the words pour out of my heart that I hadn’t even admitted to myself. He brought fresh life to my burden, my calling, my life by actually having an interest while listening to me.
Sometimes you are ministering to others just by listening to them!
Talkies There is a category of people I call talkies—people that just want to talk and talk and talk and don’t stop for air….
This happens quite a bit at a church; in fact I just was observing this recently—one lady is being caught by a talkie while another one trying to run away from a talkie.
If you have a watch on you can time the talkie. They don’t realize the glazed over look in other peoples eyes mean they checked out of the conversation a long time ago, that they are frantically looking for anyone to make eye contact with to break free!
Drainers Unfortunately in this world there are also people who I call drainers—people that will zap the life out of you. It is all about them: talking, talking, and talking. They walk away feeling light as a feather because they have dumped all of their issues on you—and you have already heard that same story four times. Guard your time. You only have one life. Drainers want to fill it with their words.
In teaching a class recently I was teaching students that it takes so little to be above average: to be a good listener; to care for others; to send a note of concern; to give an encouraging smile; to open up your heart to others even when you may get rejected.
Your Choice So today it is your choice—are you going to be a talkie or a drainer or a life giver?
A true listener inspires others to new heights in the Lord. A life giver encourages others’ burdens, dreams, visions, and lets them know that they can make it, they can do it.
Some of you have been crying out for the Lord to use you in a mighty way. Start where you are by investing in others. Investing is coming alongside that person and saying, “I believe in your vision and I believe in you. I can’t wait to see what doors the Lord is going to continue to open up in you!”
As you do this you will see the Lord bringing you into a new plain. A place that He has desired to be with you, to sup. Because listening requires perseverance (an effort), but a true listener also knows the voice, the whispering, and the calling of the Lord in their life! So today, just listen.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, Cylinda Nickel
--------- Cylinda Nickel lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, two daughters and very overweight Daschund. She is a travel agent but her true burden lies in her job as Office Manager for MK Ministries. She was raised in the Leeward Islands as an MK and her main passion is to empower MKs around the world! |
|
|
