Courage to Listen

A few years ago the Team Wooten word of the year was "listen".  In fact, I shared a variety of posts from my "Getting My House in Order" blog on the subject like this post here, A Time to be Silent, A Time to Speak.  It's amazing how messages can come around full circle.  Maybe it's God's way of letting us know that we still need to work on that.  Recently, I was on a campus and saw this poster in the hallway:

This poster grabbed me immediately because it had my OneWord for the year: Courage. Still, when I stopped to actually read the sign I was reminded of the importance of listening.  Many of you know, I have quite the gift of gab so speaking up is usually not a problem. (Although, I have discovered speaking up in some areas are quite uncomfortable for me.  That may be another blog post)  However, when it comes to making time to listen, that's a whole other story!

After listening to God and reflecting on the message of this poster, I realized there are a few reasons it's hard for me to listen.  See if you can identify with any of these:

1.  I must be quiet.  My name is Rachelle- and I am a talker.  I enjoy sharing stories, asking questions, relating with others in positive ways.  So just the sheer nature of having to be quiet takes work for me.  I am so much better than I used to be but it is still something I have to work at doing.

2.  I must be focused.  I am often do many different things at one time-can anybody relate to that?  It is a challenge to stop doing those things and really focus on what my child may be asking, what my husband just said, or what my colleague is concerned about.  It requires courage to let go of what I think may be important to let them know I think what they have to say is important.

3.  I must slow down.  I talk fast. I move fast.  I listen fast.  Yeah, sometimes I find myself telling my husband or my kids, "give me the short version". I know it's not cool, and it's no way to show them how much they mean to me.  Yet, as a working, mother of five I cannot begin to tell you what all needs to get done when I get home.  But I know that it's important to "be in the moment" too.  I know I need work in this area.

4.  I must be still.  Not only do I need to slow down, but in order to listen to Him, I must be still.  I must make time in my day to listen to what He is saying.  I have found that in my busiest moments he seems farthest away.  I pray I will make it a priority to begin my day with him quietly and still.

"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-" Proverbs 15:1

Do you have any strategies that make listening easy for you?  What is working for you?

Are you like me and struggle in some of these areas?  Why is it hard for you to listen?  I would love to hear from you, so let me know in the comments.

Courage to Be Light

At the beginning of the school year, one of my former colleagues, who is an evangelist and pastor,  asked me, "In your job, do you get many opportunities to witness and share Jesus with others?"  Sadly, all I could say was no not much.

Since August, I can say that God has reminded me of that question and He has given me courage to be a light by seeing where He is at work in the lives of my colleagues.  Once I see where He is at work I simply join Him in that work.

One time, I visited with a teacher who needed technical support and she ended up sharing the challenges she was facing on this new campus- new people, different school culture, etc.  As she shared she began to cry.  I was moved by her situation and her tears.  It took everything in me not to weep right along with her.  Still, I did what I knew to do.  I asked, "may I pray for you?"  She said, "please".  It's amazing how big a difference a small prayer can do.  Recently,  she shared a note with me thanking me for the support I have been to her.

This past week, one of my colleagues shared that her son was having surgery this week.  I asked if we could pray for her "right now" and she, too, said yes.  So, me and several others took a moment to pray for her and her son.  As we concluded our prayer, we hugged and I saw other mothers wiping their tears.  Prayer has a way of touching each of us, right where we are.  I guess God just knows us like that.

I'm so glad my former colleague had the courage to ask me that question.  It has challenged me to look to see where God is at work.  Once I see it, then all I have to do is join.  I want to be able to say the same words Jesus said, "I only do what I see my Father is doing."  Prayer may not count as witnessing but it is giving me a great opportunity to share God's heart with others and share in lifting their burdens.  

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Blogging with Purpose

This year the theme at our church is "Walk with Purpose".  That theme really resonated with me when I heard it.  Since hearing it, I feel God has purposefully put me on a journey toward spiritual growth.  One way is by changing the way I focus my growth this year.  Like most people, I set goals or New Year's resolutions for the next year.  By the end of the year, I would have some items scratched off and others-well, you know, I tried.  So this year, I decided to commit to choosing one word to focus on for the year.  I read about this in the YouVersion app.  It was one of the bible plans I could choose for the year.  You can find out more about the One Word Theme here.

As part of the plan, I was asked to get quiet and ask God for the "one word" he had for me this year.  I thought about it and the first word that came to mind was integrity.  However, I didn't ask God for that word.  So, I decided to really get quiet and wait for God to give me my "one word."  Then it came to me!  My one word is "courage".

Immediately, I began to think: "Oh no, is something bad going to happen?"  "What trouble or trial is coming my way?" "Why do I need to focus on courage?"  Then I "googled" courage and came across an interesting article from Psychology Today's website titled "The Six Attributes of Courage".  Looking at that list really confirmed that this indeed was my one word for the year.  The six attributes they listed are:

1.  Feeling fear yet choosing to act.  I was feeling fear the moment I received the word, but I believe "God hasn't given me a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
2.  Following your heart.  If I "delight myself in the Lord, He will give me the desires of my heart"(Psalm 37:4) so I can feel confident in following my heart.
3.  Persevering in the face of adversity.  I can "consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance."  I pray that when I face adversity this word will become alive in my life.
4.  Standing up for what is right.  I usually have no problem speaking up so my challenge will be standing up or speaking up for what is right. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:14)
5.  Facing suffering with dignity or faith.  I really don't know what to put here.  There are many people that I admire for their faith in difficult times.  I know I'll have hard times and difficulties.  May He give me a word that will help me to walk this out when that time comes.

That's the word.  I've put it out there and I'm dedicating the posts on this blog to sharing my journey of learning and living out my one word- courage.  I appreciate your questions and comments while I'm on this journey.