by Joanne Wiklund
Last week I wrote about places I’d like to go. But thinking about that, it occurred to me how much thinking, talking and listening we do every day to ourselves. In our head and our heart, we turn over people, places and things by the second. With writers, we include that in our thinking also. We often write what comes into our mind, and call it “free writing.” We put down what comes into our head and heart and in a sense we are always listening to ourselves as we think.
One of the best gifts we can give our children is to teach them that thinking should come before speaking. Saves us a lot of trouble if we do that routinely. But I don’t always do that before I speak to myself. Sometimes I draw thoughts, mindlessly, from the dark side. You know, the “What If’s?” They can drive me to distraction and even tears if I do simple things: I listen to them. I ponder on them. I put them in my heart and find I can draw them out easily.
So. How do I send them on their way? With scripture these days. If I have learned anything this past two almost three years, with prayer, study, reading and yes, even writing, one of the most productive things I can do is listen. And the first question I must ask is “Who am I listening to?” Who is it that is making me upset? Who is lifting me up? Often I find I’m listening to me tell myself all kinds of things that I know are wrong. Things I really disagree with. I’m stupid, I’m useless, I’m a nasty person. Listening to my Lord is the safest thing I can do. I try to remember: God don’t make no junk. And the Good Shepherd takes care of His Sheep, and leads them where they need to go. But only if they listen. May we listen well this week.
James 1:19,22 “Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 22. But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, …”
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Thank you, I needed this, it was like you were speaking to me, the what “if’s” and the answers. I find myself repeating the 23 Psalm often to get my thoughts in order.