The power of listening (1 Godwink with a stranger)
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.
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.
Resources to encourage you:
- Random Acts of Kindness Then & Now
- Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World
- Ordinary Joy: Finding Fresh Promise in Routine Moments
-
The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships
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WOW! You made a friend. I LOVED this! Great title. Great story. You go girl!
I told him my name, and to ask for me should he decide to come 🙂
How could I resist a story with that title? I love this story and pray that your kindness moves Jim to open his heart up to God.
What a lovely story! So cool that you reached out to him in spite of the clock…
You are such a beautiful person Christa. Inspiring. ❤
Great story Christa, and it would have been so different if when God said, “stop,” you didn’t.
I’l be praying for Jim. And all the other Jim’s you’ll meet out there. Thanks for the story.
Anne, I know there have been plenty I didn’t stop for…trying to live more aware. Thank you
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this! Totally! Did I mention that I loved it. Connecting people with God and others. Wow! Visiting from Bloggy Moms.
Laurie, thanks for visiting! I hope you will come back and I am so glad you connected with it. That makes my day
The blessings that result when we obey that Heavenly nudge are so much better than whatever little task we had in mind. Beautiful job!
Isn’t that the simple truth???
Christa…so glad you listened to that God-nudge:-) Loved your story…and Jim’s story and how God’s love moved. Thanks for sharing…
I hope he gave it thought later, I really do
This is wonderful, Christa. Praise God! Thank you for taking time with this man.
I, as usual, am so proud of you, Christa. You planted a seed, gave him something to think about, and I pray it will grow. I’ll pray for Jim as well. Thanks….
aww, I love you Grandma
You’re title had me interested in discovering how all that stuff tied together. Great story that reminds us that humanity is all about people, not philosophy. I hope your words have a chance to come to fruition.
Great story! You never know, he just may show up….that would be awesome! 😀
By the way, love your blog. Thank you for stopping by mine and commenting. God Bless! 😀
Thank you Sandy!
I love it! And yes, I have to say that you are one that carries around an invisible sign above your head that invites people to share their story….says the girl who so quickly felt open to share big chunks of her story to the girl with the invisible sign. Thank you for sharing this story and reminding ALL of us that sometimes life’s most valuable lessons are in those moments that we take even though they were not on our agenda for the day and we’re pressed for time. I’m positive that you standing there and simply listening meant the world to him. God is doing some cool things with you, Christa! Love ya friend!
Oh Deanna, you are such an encouraging friend. Thank you for reading my story and sharing from your heart
What an awesome story. It is amazing how God uses each and every one of us to share our faith with others. I hope that you see Jim again and that He believes that there is a God who loves and cares for him.
Wow! This is a really great way to look at those interactions. As a fellow possessor of the invisible sign above my head, I found this convicting! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping over to read this Bethany, I am glad you were moved
People often start conversations with me, also, and I get annoyed because I’m not a people person. This story leads me to believe that I need to stop fighting it! You may not be an “evangelist”, but you did what the Lord put you there to do. 🙂