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Five Words: Listen

January 12, 2012 //  by Wendy Lawton//  16 Comments

Blogger: Wendy Lawton

Location: Round Top, Texas

This last fall my husband and I went to a prayer retreat that had one purpose– to help us learn to listen. I was shocked to discover how powerful listening is. I’ve been trying to put it into practice as a spiritual discipline.

As writers, listening is doubly important. We are called to listen to the world around around us. How can we honestly write if we are not listeners? Novelists know this. Lauraine Snelling, the bestselling writer of both historical and contemporary fiction was just telling me about something that happened to her as she was driving through the desert a couple of weeks ago. She heard a voice saying one poignant line. Lauraine says she nearly had to pull the car to the side of the road. She could picture the scene from that one line. She started crying and knew she had to know the rest of the story. It will be the centerpiece of her next book.

(Those of you who do not write fiction are probably creeped out by that– voices and all. It’s not a serious illness. Trust me, for novelists, it’s quite normal.)

Lauraine is a listener.

Over the last three days I encouraged you to dream, to risk and to ask. All proactive words. Now it’s time to listen. It’s an important word to work into your goals for the year. The more you listen, the more you’ll have to write.

So help us with this word. Have any of you discovered new ways to listen? Have you experienced the power that comes with listening? Share with us what you’ve learned.

 

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Category: Blog, Fiction, Life, Writing LifeTag: Listening, novelists

Previous Post: « Five Words: Ask
Next Post: Five Words: Savor »

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  1. Sarah Forgrave

    January 12, 2012 at 8:58 am

    For me, listening usually starts with turning off the noise. Excellent post, Wendy!

    Reply
  2. Richard Mabry

    January 12, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Wendy, I’m guilty of sometimes being so self-centered that, although I listen, I don’t really hear what others are trying to communicate to me. Unfortunately, this can also apply to what God is telling me.
    Yet there have been times when I’ve heard what God is saying as clearly as though it were audible. These are precious times, and I’m working to allow for more of them.
    Powerful post–thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
  3. Cheryl Malandrinos

    January 12, 2012 at 11:43 am

    I am not great at listening. It’s something I’ve always struggled with. It’s also probably why God has to sometimes knock me over the head with something before I say, “Oh, that’s what you meant.” LOL!

    Thanks for the reminder of how important listening is.

    Reply
  4. C.E. Hart

    January 12, 2012 at 11:51 am

    Great post – very inspiring.

    Oh – and I’m not creeped out. I hear voices all the time! lol

    🙂

    Reply
  5. Sarah Thomas

    January 12, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    My best listening (to the voices only I hear) comes when I ask open-ended questions I don’t know the answer to. And then I listen to see who has the answer.

    My best listening (to the voices everyone can hear) is when I shut up and stop trying to impress people.

    Reply
  6. Cynthia Ruchti

    January 12, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    Because I enjoy cooking shows, and am a better cook because of it–ask me for my five minute, five ingredient chicken alfredo recipe–I often turn on the little television in my kitchen when I’m working on meal-making (too many meals in this many years of marriage!!!!) or clean-up. But every time I leave the TV off when I’m alone in the kitchen, ideas for novels, devotionals, and ministry flow. All my scribbled notes on the counter have spaghetti sauce, coffee stains, or chocolate on them! Do I NEED the companionship of the cooking shows while I chop chives? No. I need to listen. Great post, as usual, Wendy. I want a more contemplative life, but I’m treasuring the contemplative pocket-sized moments, too.

    Reply
  7. Janet Ann Collins

    January 12, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    Sometimes I listen in my sleep and wake up with an inspiration. Of course that may be influenced by what I was thinking and praying about as I fell asleep, so I’m not sure if it counts as listening or not.

    Reply
  8. Meghan Carver

    January 12, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    It may sound oxymoronic, but having six children has helped me to listen to that inner voice. With all the mayhem, I am forced to tune out the noise and really concentrate. I’ve also realized that I need all the help I can get, so I try to listen for the whisper of the Holy Spirit as much as possible!

    Reply
  9. Cynthia Ruchti

    January 12, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    Forgive the second post, but in the last few minutes, as I was LISTENING, more listening ideas came. Reading God’s Word unstops my ears…if I don’t rush through it. One verse of Scripture says something to the effect, “Don’t be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence.” I’m lighting a match to the kindling now in the fireplace, because staring into a fire promotes listening and staring at Facebook promotes a mental traffic jam.

    Reply
  10. Barbara

    January 12, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    This is a timely post for me. I just came back from two days at the ocean. I needed to quiet all the voices and the noise of pounding waves helps me do that. Tuesday morning I sat for three hours, hypnotized by the motion of the waves, completely ignorant of the passing of time. By Tuesday evening I was free (finally) to listen.

    Reply
  11. Peter DeHaan

    January 12, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    For me, listening must be done with minimal distractions: no TV, music, or others talking. Total silence is best!

    Reply
  12. Julie Klassen

    January 12, 2012 at 4:46 pm

    Solid, inspiring series this week, Wendy. I’ve really enjoyed reading it. Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Martha Ramirez

    January 12, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    Wow. This was a really great reminder. Thank you!

    BTW LOVED this. It made me laugh. So true!

    Those of you who do not write fiction are probably creeped out by that– voices and all. It’s not a serious illness. Trust me, for novelists, it’s quite normal.)

    Reply
  14. Stephanie Grace Whitson

    January 12, 2012 at 5:33 pm

    I’ve been intrigued for a long while about the “Discipline of silence” and learning to listen … thanks for the reminder … maybe this is my year to learn a new level of listening.

    Reply
  15. Peter G. James Sinclair

    January 12, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    Herman Melville wrote: ‘God’s one and only voice is silence.’ So hears (I meant that) to listening!

    Reply
  16. Heather Marsten

    January 13, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    Sometimes God speaks to me in the shower – no kids, no husband, no distractions so God drops a word or two in my heart there. He has convicted me of sins, given me ideas, and encouragement. Another place he speaks is when I go out for walks by myself. I love his companionship.
    Have a blessed day.

    Reply

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