I hear birds’ singing. I hear them often. I hear a tweet, a trill, a caw, or a twitter. I hear each bird’s voice, the noise or the music of it all, but when do I listen to know its heart? When do I stop what I’m doing, pay attention, or listen to the song’s clarity, sweetness, tempo, or dynamics? How do I know what the bird is really saying? Is the bird rejoicing? Calling a mate? In panic? Under stress? In pain? Do I even care?

I hear my neighbor’s words. I hear them often. I hear a question, a worrying, a statement, a wondering. I hear the noise or the music of it all, but when do I listen to know her heart? When do I stop what I’m doing, pay attention, or listen to her words’ clarity, sweetness, tempo, or dynamics? How do I know what my neighbor is really saying? Is my neighbor rejoicing? Calling me? In panic? Under stress? In pain? Do I even care?

I hear my child’s words. I hear them often. I hear a shout, a scream, a cry of delight, a statement, or the unending questions of “Why?” I hear the noise or the music of it all, but when do I actually listen to know my child’s heart? How often do I stop what I’m doing to pay attention, or listen to the clarity, sweetness, tempo, dynamics, or meaning of his or her words? How do I know what my child is really saying? Is my child rejoicing? Calling me? In panic? Under stress? In pain? Do I even care?

God hears each one of my words. He hears them often. He hears questions, grumbles, statements, wonderings, celebrations. He hears the noise and the music of it all. He pays attention to my words and their clarity, dimness, sweetness, tempo, dynamics, and meaning. I am His child. He hears my voice, understands my words and perceives my heart. How does He know what I am really saying? That I am rejoicing? That I know His calling for me? That I’m in a panic? Under stress? In pain? God knows, because His heart listens to my heart.

Here’s what God’s words show and tell about listening:

1. Listen without being judgmental.  (James 1:5, 6; II Corinthians 5:7; Job 11:6)

2. Listen with your heart’s ears.  (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 3:17-19)

3. Listen with prayerful intentions. (Matthew 21:22; I John 5:14,15)

4. Hear your child out—without interruption. (Hebrews 10:36; James 1:2-4)

5. Say, “I love you. It sounds like you feel (like this) or mean (that).”  (I John 4:7, 8,11;3:18; Colossians 3:12,13)