Love, love, LOVE this Linda. It felt so true and reminded me of the growth that can happen in relationships when we truly see each other, and even more, accept each other, ditching the magic fix-it wand.
So true, Linda, and I have grown to love the man my husband IS, not the "ideal" in my mind. Even more revealing, since we have put aside the need to "fix" one another, we have seen how wonderfully God designed us for each other! How could we presume to improve on His design?
So much beautiful truth here, dear friend. This part really resonated with me, "You know when you're on the receiving end. And when you're not." I appreciate your wisdom, insights, and inspiration more than I could ever express!
Yep, we just know in the depth of our souls when someone truly cares enough to listen deeply. It's kind of uncanny, but that's the reality, isn't it. I guess I hope it'll prompt us to learn to do the same. This whole thing is as rare as hen's teeth ...
Thank you for sharing this beautiful reflection, Linda. Your words resonate deeply, highlighting the profound impact of true presence and listening in a relationship. It's inspiring to hear about the journey of learning the art of listening well over 48 years. The gift of being fully present for one another is indeed rare and precious.
Congratulations for achieving such a high level of communication in your marriage, Linda! Listening with empathy and concern shows on the face. When someone opens their heart to share confidential thoughts, almost nothing is as valuable as that kind of silent validation. Questions that indicate attention and insight? They're meaningful too.
I'm sure you have heard this before but Jim Elliott once said, "wherever you are, be all there." True words. But hard to do in this age of phones and social media and busyness. Finding someone who will sit and listen and pay attention is rare. You might want to keep him! :)
I continue to work on turning away from the computer or putting down my phone when my husband speaks to me. Continuing to focus on what's in front of me guarantees that whatever he says will not register in my brain. And it sends a message that I don't want to send.
So beautifully described, Linda! Thank you for being a good listener at this blog where I feel validated and heard and never condemned. Love and blessings to you!
It is such a gift to be on the receiving end of being fully present. And being fully present to others is what I hope I also offer. This post was just beautiful and thought provoking. Thank you for sharing this!
Oh Linda ... I wish I had started working on listening like this 30 years ago. I am trying now, however imperfectly. Your experience gives me hope we can draw even closer together through these empty nest years, not further apart. Thanks for sharing this, dear friend.
Ahhh, Linda. The gift of being listened to, especially when we need it most, is priceless. May we grow in being fully present with the people in our lives.
So grateful that we are both recipients of the gift that our primary listener is the person we’ve been doing life with the longest! That’s not something I take for granted...
This made my eyes leak. This is beautiful.
I appreciate you sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
Aw ... I hear you, Paula. I had one of those leaky eyes days last weekend. Sometimes those tears have no choice but to come out of hiding, right?
This is beautiful, Linda! It makes such a difference when we can listen to one another without trying to fix it and just be present.
And it takes the pressure off, doesn't it ...
Love, love, LOVE this Linda. It felt so true and reminded me of the growth that can happen in relationships when we truly see each other, and even more, accept each other, ditching the magic fix-it wand.
So good to see you, Donna. And amen to ditching the magic fix-it wand. It never did work, did it ...
So true, Linda, and I have grown to love the man my husband IS, not the "ideal" in my mind. Even more revealing, since we have put aside the need to "fix" one another, we have seen how wonderfully God designed us for each other! How could we presume to improve on His design?
So true. Sad to say that many of us take too long in getting to truly know the depths of those we love. What we missed along the way ...
You capture a sacred moment - just to be heard and seen.
Kate, yes, a sacred moment. You said it beautifully.
So much beautiful truth here, dear friend. This part really resonated with me, "You know when you're on the receiving end. And when you're not." I appreciate your wisdom, insights, and inspiration more than I could ever express!
Yep, we just know in the depth of our souls when someone truly cares enough to listen deeply. It's kind of uncanny, but that's the reality, isn't it. I guess I hope it'll prompt us to learn to do the same. This whole thing is as rare as hen's teeth ...
Thank you for sharing this beautiful reflection, Linda. Your words resonate deeply, highlighting the profound impact of true presence and listening in a relationship. It's inspiring to hear about the journey of learning the art of listening well over 48 years. The gift of being fully present for one another is indeed rare and precious.
Hugs and blessings
You're right, friend. It's been a journey full of twists and unexpected turns. And we're not done yet. I'm so glad we love and serve the Redeemer.
Congratulations for achieving such a high level of communication in your marriage, Linda! Listening with empathy and concern shows on the face. When someone opens their heart to share confidential thoughts, almost nothing is as valuable as that kind of silent validation. Questions that indicate attention and insight? They're meaningful too.
Well, we sure aren't always at an A+ level but 95% of the time we're doing better than a D+.
LOVE it, LInda! 😁
I'm sure you have heard this before but Jim Elliott once said, "wherever you are, be all there." True words. But hard to do in this age of phones and social media and busyness. Finding someone who will sit and listen and pay attention is rare. You might want to keep him! :)
I continue to work on turning away from the computer or putting down my phone when my husband speaks to me. Continuing to focus on what's in front of me guarantees that whatever he says will not register in my brain. And it sends a message that I don't want to send.
So beautifully described, Linda! Thank you for being a good listener at this blog where I feel validated and heard and never condemned. Love and blessings to you!
I'm so very glad this is a safe place, Trudy ...
Yes, it is definitely a gift and blessing!
Amen.
It is such a gift to be on the receiving end of being fully present. And being fully present to others is what I hope I also offer. This post was just beautiful and thought provoking. Thank you for sharing this!
You're so right, Joanne ... this works both ways. It's not a one way street.
Life is an unending lesson of learning to love well, isn’t it?
Yeah. Well said, friend
Oh Linda ... I wish I had started working on listening like this 30 years ago. I am trying now, however imperfectly. Your experience gives me hope we can draw even closer together through these empty nest years, not further apart. Thanks for sharing this, dear friend.
Learning to be fully present, to listen well, should be the top focus of pre-marital counseling.
Ahhh, Linda. The gift of being listened to, especially when we need it most, is priceless. May we grow in being fully present with the people in our lives.
Yes and amen. And only by His grace.
I think we all just want and need to be listened to -- and in turn, listen and hear the other. This is lovely.
Yes, yes, our heart's desire.
So grateful that we are both recipients of the gift that our primary listener is the person we’ve been doing life with the longest! That’s not something I take for granted...
In our marriage, it was birthed from pain, frustration, sadness, and illness. It's been a completely different story in my professional/ministry life.