Characteristics of a Christian Woman: Listener

In the back of my journal I've been led to jot down characteristics a Christian should have, more specifically a woman, and even more specifically myself. And then I realize I am like NONE of these. Okay at times I am, when everything is going perfectly. But when the day is blah, the kids are AH, and nothing is going right.. I fall extremely short of being the Christian woman I should be.

And then I get down thinking I am a terrible Christian & I think to myself.. That is the enemy trying to get a foothold in my mind & think that I cannot change. But I can. I know I can.

I am going to start this week with one that is EXTREMELY heavy on my heart. And by heavy, I mean God has hit me with several different readings that are touching on the EXACT same context. I love when that happens because I know that is God. But then I am like okay God, how long have you been telling me this? How many times have I missed it? Because I feel like I just got hit with a ton of bricks in the head saying, "DUH Tiffany."

The characteristic I want to touch on this week is... Drum roll please...

A Listener.

What woman doesn't listen? Isn't it usually the men that don't listen? Um nope. I've realized lately how much I hear what people are saying.. But I don't really listen. Something I have unfortunately accused my husband of.. Which in fact I will never do that again because I just called the kettle black.

Have you ever tried listening without interrupting someone? That is on a notecard in my prayer journal.

Proverbs 18:13 -- He who answers before listening, that is his folly & his shame.

Those who interrupt are... Selfish... Foolish... And not humble. Gulp. Talk about a hard pill to swallow. How many conversations do we have on a daily basis where we interrupt someone? Whether to cut in to give advice, prove the wrong, or change the subject. It happens.

I know I need to cut that out. Being love is listening. God wants us to listen.

Not only to those in our daily life on this earth, but to HIM. First and foremost, always listen to Him first. But also, those around you. Who love you & that you love. Listen to them. Because I know I don't want to be foolish, or selfish, or even the opposite of humble. I want to be wise, and giving, and humble!!!

Joyce Meyer nailed this in her book Change Your Words Change Your Life -- "Jesus said that if we love Him, we will obey Him. But we cannot obey Him if we don't listen to what He wants to say to us. How we listen to Bible teaching determines what we get out of it."

James 1:19 -- My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen. 

John 8:47 -- He who belongs to God hears what God says.

Psalm 119:105 -- Your Word is a lamp to my feet & a light for my path. 

5 Ways to be a Godly Listener

1. Open your eyes, your ears & your heart & listen to God.

2. Be obedient to what God told you to do.

3. Stop interrupting.

4. Engage in the conversation.

5. Take your time to listen. Jesus took His time on earth to listen. God takes His time to listen to us.