Lean In To Hear

I had the privilege to attend the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains (NYSAFC) annual conference with my husband; who is a firefighter and the Chaplain of our local volunteer fire department. 

Over three and a half days there are speakers, spouses activities, the annual meeting, new officers, worship, a memorial service and lots of fellowship and eating...good eating! This year we swore in the new Chief Chaplain for his two year term.

The theme for this year's conference was "Let Your Light Shine".

I enjoy listening to the speakers they have for their training sessions, and this year was no exception.

Some of the things I heard through out the conference;

👂 "Kindness is something we can do well" and we can do it well by;

"Practicing the act of kindness".  The little things; a smile, a nod, holding a door, etc. Small gestures that can make a huge difference, to make someone feel noticed. 

A story shared within the conversations about suicide and suicide prevention; "after an individual who successfully took their own life a note was found. "On my way" (he was heading the the Golden Gate Bridge), "if one person smiles at me I won't do this."  One smile would have changed the course of this person's existence. 

We have that ability, that power, that responsibility. 

📖  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32

As Christians we are to show God's love to everyone one we meet..even if we don't feel like it.  

📖  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39

What usually happens when you smile? They smile back...say hello? they say hello back. YOU will receive back what you give.

📖 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

👂"Lean in to listen"

The gentleman who said this was apologizing for getting in personal spaces as he leans in to listen because he is hard of hearing. But it made me think of our God. He leans in to listen to us...though He doesn't need to...He created us to communicate with Him and He leans in to hear what we have to say to Him.

📖 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:28-29

👂"Listen" was a word spoken often, how important it is to just listen. The importance of listening was reiterated through out the conference. People need to feel they are being heard.

📖 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— proverbs 1:5

How can we respond or even begin to help if we don't listen to what is going on within.

📖  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  James 1:19

We are Jesus's hands and feet....we need to be His ears. He hears along with us. But right below our ears are our shoulders...and our arms extend from those.  From our listening...a shoulder to lean on, cry on, and then arms that can hold someone.

📖   Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans12:15

The best way we can practice kindness and do it well is to be aware of those around us and that they know there is a listening ear, a kind shoulder and compassionate arms when they need.

My prayer 

🙏🏼 Dear Lord, I pray

📖 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Guide each person in the direction they should go. Please give compassion, empathy in their listening and acts of kindness♥️