Thursday, February 23, 2023

Porch #80 * Tell . Write . Listen

  PORCH
a soft place to land
a calm weekend haven
a gentle pause from life's busyness
so we may experience
the tender lovingkindness of Jesus
as we do life together
in community

Hey, it's good to be back together again.

Are you a story teller?  A story writer?  A story listener?

Right off the top I'll tell you that I'm not a story teller.  I can't remember details, my timing is off, I miss the point, I won't leave you hysterically rolling on the floor.   A completely unmemorable event.

I'm not a story writer either.  Here and there I've given it a whirl, usually with some kind of a devotional twist.  But after my third refusal from (in)courage some years back, I tossed that whole idea aside.  And I definitely had no interest in even dreaming of publishing anything even though a few kind-intentioned people encouraged me to go in that direction.

What were they thinking?

But all is not lost because I've come to accept that God's shaped me to be a listener.  Professionally, yes, but also simply as a human person.  It's a humbling honor to hold space for the heart of another, especially when it's tender and broken.  And even after all these years, I'm still in learning mode.

Listening is an art that doesn't come naturally to most of us.  We're usually too busy figuring out how to respond, how to fix, how to draw attention to our brilliant advice or witty repartee.  Our eyes glance at the clock or around the room, we fidget, our body language shouting that we are absorbed in ourselves and not at all present to the person in front of us.  

And they know it.

But I still believe that this is a priceless gift to pursue, cultivate, and refine.

The bottom line is that most human beings deeply desire to be acknowledged, heard, valued.  More than ever, most of us are yearning to have someone create a quiet space that allows us to be seen.  To have the reality of our thoughts and emotions validated.  To hold out grace and kindness and hope toward us without judgement or pat answers or some kind of hidden agenda.  

To let us know we're not alone. 

I love that we serve the One who's not only written our life stories but also already knows when the final curtain is going to fall.  Nothing shocks or shakes Him.  No one, but no one, listens attentively like Jesus.  He truly understands our ins and outs, ups and downs, twists and turns.  Because He's been here, done that.  Without a taint of sin or shame.

These 3 powerful stories grabbed me this week ...   
'Heather had a way of crossing barriers and offering unbiased love to those who often had suffered the lack of enduring love before ...' 

'Please be sure that people know that I never lost a battle with cancer.  God was always in control, not the cancer.' 

Philip Yancey's Diagnosis
'
A measure of shame seems to accompany disability.  There is an innate shame in inconveniencing others for something that is neither your fault nor your desire.  And a shame in having well-meaning friends overreact: some may treat you like a fragile antique, or complete your sentences when you pause a second to think of a word.'

Beth Moore's Childhood
'You know that there’s infidelity.  You know that there has been abuse ... those years were maniacal ... Looking to your mother and thinking she can’t take care of me, looking to your father and thinking you are the scariest thing in my life.  And what happens to us now?  It really was terrifying.'
(content warning: sexual abuse, mental illness)


EXPLORE MORE
Adam McHugh

Philip Yancey

Beth Moore

*
Stephen Ministries
 provide high-quality, one-to-one, 
Christ-centered care to people 
experiencing life difficulties
(hint - listening is key)

May our attentive spirits give space for another's stories this weekend ~
Linda
I'm so glad you're here.
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42 comments:

  1. I’m sure you understand that I received Yancey’s news with more than casual interest.
    And I won’t express this as clearly as I sense it, but even your writing style comes across to me with a listening stance. It’s a beautiful thing to witness a person fully aware of her gifting and receiving it as the blessing it is.

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    1. Michele, I am so sorry. I meant to send you Yancey's news as soon as I read it but we were just getting home from a trip and today we had appliances delivered and I got all caught up in the setting up of them.

      Enough excuses about my insensitivity. Please forgive me! I didn't want to catch you off guard, I knew you'd receive this with more than casual interest.
      ๐Ÿคฆ‍♀️

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    2. Oh, Linda, no apologies necessary. I get Philip Yancey’s newsletter so I had already heard his news. I see that CT has published it and Lesley Fields’s newsletter is also sharing the diagnosis. He is so wonderfully gifted. I hope he keeps writing!

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    3. How can it be that God uses those thorns He allows to enrich our lives and ministries ... and yet He miraculously does.
      ✝️

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  2. To be able to listen to others well is a precious gift indeed, Linda. And it's something that must be honed and practiced, especially if we weren't born with that gift. During Lent, I'm going to make every effort to listen to others deeply and without distraction.
    Blessings, my friend!

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    1. Martha, I love using this Lenten season to move into a deeper listening stance. We're all in learning mode, aren't we. What a great prompt you've given us. Bless you.
      ๐ŸŒธ

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  3. How wonderful to understand the gift that the Lord gave you, and the desire to use it to bless others! What a sweet picture you shared! May we learn to listen more, and talk less!

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    1. Gee ... those girls are now almost as tall as I am. It remains one of my favorite pics of the three of us.
      ๐Ÿ“ธ

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  4. She says she can't tell stories,
    the kind that readers seek,
    but her blog is full of glories,
    and she adds to them each week
    with bejeweled anecdotes
    whose words shine with bright verve,
    and each tale told soars and floats
    Heavenward to serve
    the God that chose this dear sweet friend
    to tell of friendship and of seasons
    and of hearts that break and mend,
    and therein reside the reasons
    that always I'll with pleasure greet
    the chance to listen at her feet.

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    1. Heavenward. Yep, Andrew, all praise to Him for any and every good thing He does in our lives. Amen!
      ☀️

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  5. I had not heard about Philip Yancy but I knew Beth Moore's Memoir came out this week. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend, Linda...and, by the way, you are a published writer...what are these blog posts? Published writings ;)

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    1. Cindy, I never thought of blogging that way. Those are encouraging words to us all, friend.
      ✍️

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  6. Such a great and tender reminder!! Happy weekend, LInda!

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    1. And a lovely weekend to you, too, Jean ...
      ❄️

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  7. I love reading you here, Linda. Our call to writing is unique for all of us, thankfully! I love the personal touch of your blog (that "submission" blogs may lack). I hadn't known about Yancy's diagnosis, or that Beth Moore has a memoir, and now I do! Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Lynn, thanks for the kind encouragement. I always want people to feel like they are welcome, heard, and valued here. The posts are one thing, but it's meaningful conversation I truly want to cultivate.
      ๐Ÿ’ž

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  8. I am so glad you kept writing in this space!

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    Replies
    1. Me, too. Where would I be without you guys?
      ๐Ÿคช

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  9. I always appreciate your book recommendations, Linda!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Lisa, I'm so glad you're finding something here ...
      ๐Ÿ”

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  10. Thank you for the time you devote to this Blog.

    God bless.

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    1. And likewise, friend. You certainly are a prolific blogger and your British humor can't be beat. I can't tell you how many times you've made me laugh out loud.
      ๐Ÿ˜‚

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    2. Thanx Linda. How kind of you to say so. I often wonder whether my humour travels. I could tell a joke in London and they laugh - in America, not even a smile. That's because they're too far to hear me in London.

      I studied laughter at University. I went there to study graffiti originally. Laughter is a build up of pleasure deep within ourselves that comes out as a sound from a hole in our head. From anywhere else and we're in trouble!!!

      God bless.


      God bless.

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  11. Being a good listener is the best gift!

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    1. That's so true. You simply don't forget those people that gave up their valuable time and energy to focus on you and your story ... whether it was happy or tragic. It's such a blessed gift to receive.
      ๐Ÿ’˜

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  12. Linda, the art of listening is so important. I greatly need to improve on looking into people’s eyes as they tell me their stories. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing about Phillip Yancy. Happy Weekend!
    Pam @ Everyday Living

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    1. Yeah, Yancey's story hit something deep inside for me. I think it's a reminder, yet again, that we're aging and our bodies are giving out. And yes, I'll admit that I find that a bit unsettling.
      ๐Ÿ˜”

      Where would we be without Jesus.

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  13. I'm also a story listener!

    Thanks for stopping by. The heart-shaped teacups bring me so much joy!

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  14. I hadn't heard that Philip Yancey had Parkinson's. He is one of my favorite authors. Such a humble teacher. Thanks for all these finds, Linda. You do listen well.

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    1. Yes, I've really appreciated his work. His memoir has been one of my favorite reads in recent years. Truly inspired. So very perceptive and wise. The real deal.
      ✍️

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  15. What a precious photo memory, Linda. :) Thank you for always making us feel "acknowledged, heard, valued" and for making us feel less alone in this difficult journey of life. Love and blessings to you!

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    1. And thank you for the way you keep on reaching out to encourage me, friend. You're a treasure.

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  16. Linda, when I think of your writing, the word that comes to mind is “respite.” That touches on your calling as a listener, but I think it goes deeper. Whatever it is, it’s a gift and I’m thankful for it … and for you. Also, thank you for sharing Heather’s obituary. I was encouraged by her belief in God’s sovereignty and touched by the comfort she and her husband received from Psalm 139:16. ❤️

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    1. Yes, their story is tremendous and her legacy will surely impact generations to come. What a woman of faith. She will be missed by many for so many reasons. Heaven is richer, for sure, as she walks those streets of gold.
      ๐Ÿ’™

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  17. Your ability to listen is a gift and a blessing, Linda.
    Love that photo.

    (((hugs))) ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿงก

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    1. Precious girls then ... and now. Blessed indeed.
      ๐Ÿ‘ญ

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  18. Dear friend, I highly disagree with incourage or whoever else made those kinds of decisions regarding your writing because I can't tell you the number of times I have been so deeply impressed by your writing and the way you have with words. Truly, you are an exceptionally gifted writer, and just because one or however many people failed to see your gift in this area does NOT negate the fact that you have an extraordinary gift to write. And to listen. Yes, I know this. I will never forget the patient way you laid everything aside to speak with me by phone. I left that conversation enormously encouraged and with an overwhelming sense of being HEARD. You are multi-gifted by our Lord, and your space here online is and has been an oasis for me and countless other souls time after time. I am eternally grateful that God lets me live and sojourn this life at the same time with you. May His richest blessings be yours, my faithful friend.

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    1. Aw, you're way too kind, girl. In all fairness to (in)courage, every submission site has a niche and they look for writers who will fulfill their focus. As my Southern friend Nancy used to say, 'there's a lid for every pot.' And I've found my people here. I learned slowly but surely over time that He would shape this little community.

      And he continues to do so. I'm grateful.

      Bless you for all your kindness. All praise goes right back up to Him! Thank You, Jesus.
      ✝️

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  19. Linda, Wow! did this touch me so. And that quote regarding community, that is so true. I love that we all fellowship here in the blogosphere.
    Thank you so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.

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    1. It's the fellowship and connection and mutual support that keeps us in this game, yes?
      ๐Ÿฅฐ

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