Listen - Listen - Love - Love

Some of you may know that I do prison ministry.  In the Kairos Prison Ministry model, they have a saying – Listen Listen Love Love.

A four word phrase, with its redundancy, that has so much meaning. 

Listen.  Many times it has been said we have two ears and one mounth – so we should speak only half as much as we listen. 

Listening is difficult for many people. 

Why? 

Perhaps it is because you are not interested in what they have to say.  Maybe it is because while someone else is speaking, you’re point is not being made.  Sometimes it is because we don’t want to hear what the person is telling us.  And, just maybe it is because we are SO BUSY, we don’t take the time to give that person OUR time.

Whatever the case – the principle of listen listen love love has many applications in our daily life.

One can improve on their skills by asking, “am I listening more than I am speaking?’ 

This is NOT easy.  In fact it is one I struggle with on a regular basis.

So, that’s the listen part – what about the love part?

Again a self assessment can be done by asking, “Am I patient?  Am I tolerant?  Am I being understanding?  Am I willing to look at all angles of the situation before responding?   Do I look at what is good in others – or do I just see the negatives?”

These are just a few questions that will help us to improve on our love skills.

Have a great week – and let me know how you are doing with your upgrading you, your listening skills and showing love to others.

Ron Orendi