I’ve noticed that one of my faults is that I get so busy, so wrapped up in what I’m doing that I don’t stop to listen to my granddaughter, Ashley, when she calls: “Grandpa, where are you?” Or, I get so engrossed in what I’m thinking about that I fail to even look at her when she does something that is really great for a little girl who is only 28 months old.

Now that I’m aware of the way I can ignore someone who is very close to me, I’m wondering: am I the same way with other people around me?  Sad to say, the answer is yes, its true.  I seem to have fallen into this bad habit with everyone.  But, it can’t continue.  I know I have to change.  So, what I did, just the other day, was to tell the Lord about this while praying.  I confessed to the Lord what my problem is and then I asked him to please help me overcome this weakness of mine.

The Lord's response to my prayer for help came back to me within a split second after I asked.  The words I heard in my heart were: “Stop! Look! Listen!”  Then I wondered to myself, what kind of an answer is that?

Well, the more I thought about and meditated on the Lord’s answer, the more I saw the wisdom in those words.  Just think how much better all our lives would be if we actually did – stop, look and listen to everyone we are with or another person at home, at work and even in church.

What I’m trying to say is that all of us, me included, need to be aware of the benefits to our relationships with others when we (1) stop our racing brains, and our activities long enough to focus our attention on the one person were with at the moment. (2) Look, and I mean really look at the person and actually see what they are wearing, how their eyes sparkle (or not), observe their body language.  (3) Listen, really hear what they are saying and instead of thinking about what to say in response, simply ask the person to tell more of what he or she is thinking.  We need to make a conscious effort to pick their brains, ask questions, and listen closely to what is said, in other words, to really get to know their unique opinions and ideas.

It seems to me that if all of us would put this: “stop, look, and listen,” idea into practice, it could have far-reaching benefits.  The biggest benefit would be that we’d all get to know each other much better.  Then, from that knowledge there would develop a bonding of friendship and love – unsurpassed.

Look at Jesus, during his earthly ministry, and even now – he is always one we can depend on to – stop, look and listen!

By: Terry Weber

P.S. I know you are probably quite busy, but even so, while you are here and my website is close by, please stop and listen to what I have to say there that could give you greater

bodily comfort in the days ahead:  Website: http://www.originalsbyweber.com