OMTL Day 15 The Last Call

The lines of communication must stay open in order to have good relationships.  One of the questions for today’s chapter was, “Do you consider yourself a good listener?”  I snickered to myself and ask Carl, “Do you consider me a good listener?”  I knew what his answer was going to be before I even ask the question.  His immediate response was, “No!”  So I ask, “Why not?”  Acting like I was hurt by the answer, but knowing all along his reasoning behind it.  He replied, “The only time you are a good listener is when we are on vacation!  The rest of the time you can’t listen because of your gottas.”  The said fact is he is right.  What he means by my “gottas” is my to do list.  I always say, “We gotta do this; we gotta take care of that…”  I usually have a list of our “gottas” and it drives him crazy.  I am a multitasker, as most women are.  When I watch a movie with the family, I also fold laundry or when we are having a conversation, I’m straightening up the house or washing the dishes.  He says I’m not listening because he doesn’t have my undivided attention.  Even though in most cases I can repeat back to him exactly what he just said.

Kerry Shook, said in today’s chapter his son used to grab his chin and turn his face so he was looking right into his eyes to make sure he had his daddy’s full attention.  Carl said he was going to start doing that to me.  So obviously I need to work on my listening skills.  I’m sure that is true with God too, I go to Him with my “gotta” list and sometimes for all of us, it is so hard to be still and know that He is God.  I really need to learn to sit quietly and just listen with my heart.  How often do I really communicate with Him during my day?  Today’s chapter was called, Last Call, it was about opening your heart and taking off the armor that we have on when we communicate with others.  It was also about being open and honest with those we love.  If we only had 30 days to live how would it change the way we communicate with those we love and especially with God?