The power of listening (1 Godwink with a stranger)

Leaning on my shopping cart, one foot on the lower bar, one elbow on the handle, I waited patiently for my slice of American cheese at the deli. The man who was being waited on had precise instructions- 2 lbs… one lb. per bag…make sure it’s low sodium…slice as thin as you can.

This was my last item, and I was hoping to hurry. He turned and looked at me, smiling.

“Got to get a few donuts, for me and my dog”, he casually said.

Honestly, I debated engaging in this conversation.

The clock reminded me that it was time to pick my daughter up soon and take her to work.

I am that person that elderly people often stop and tell stories to. I appreciate the generational differences, that we all will age and I try to see who people ARE, who they WERE…

I sometimes sense when someone feels a bit lonely and offer them a smile.

People tell me stuff. Details.

In a world of people who are too busy to care, I try and offer a moment of listening. Sometimes I fail at this, and sometimes I sense divine intervention.

God wink -An event or personal experience, often identified as coincidence, so astonishing that it is seen as a sign of divine intervention

What is the importance of listening?

Maybe just noticing the people around us and getting out of our heads, that simple.

I had a plan.

God said Stop.

Now, Jim, he did tell me about his dog and their donuts. He wasn’t one of my regular guys who tell me about the VA, being a Mason, or talk about the weather.

Jim might be dying.

I knew I needed to make the time.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around – Leo Buscaglia

Listening allows vulnerability

Turns out he had failed liver, decades of being a heavy drinker.

Within 10 minutes I knew his medical history-his concerns for his now failing kidneys. About his medical treatments. The costs of his pills and the kindly doctors.

Within 20 minutes I knew about his 11-year stint in prison, some of the local law enforcement that were corrupt, his life as a musician, beer driver, and police bribery.

His deceased wife (two marriages) and even his first sexual encounter after being a widow. (TMI). The woman who was crass and ran 4 miles a day and was previously married to an abusive bodybuilder.

Meeting Jimmy Swaggart, his millionaire sister, his religious parents. His former bad temper and guns.

What landed him in prison. How he always respected a lady though and never raised his voice to one.

30 minutes and his meat was sliced and bagged, my cheese in the cart. A chance encounter or divine appointment?

I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen- Ernest Hemingway

Listening is a powerful gift

Jim was facing the end of his life perhaps and had no use for religion. Well, perhaps he stopped the wrong lady.

God had a different idea.

I am not an evangelist; in fact, I want to be much bolder about my faith than I have been.

Over the next 10 minutes, I told Jim, “Yep, I know what you mean about religion. I used to feel the same way”.

Now I had his interest.

Jim, religion is about people’s rules, not God. He loves you. You can be right with a big consequence or I am right and everyone can win. What is the harm in believing? I shared how God changed me (briefly). And Jim seemed interested. If you ever want to come to meet me at church…I enjoyed talking to you Jim.

I hope I see you again.