Listening

Yesterday, OIM hosted their Thanksgiving Meal at Knox. What an amazing opportunity to break bread with others, share a story or two, or even just sit in silence and take it all in.

Jesus said that when we do it for the least of these, we do it for him. What better honour to share a meal with Jesus than by sharing it with fellow humans? Each week as I pray over the Veterans, I ask that we be his ears, hands, and feet to all who come through the door.

Think about that for a minute. You get to see smiling faces of those who want to be with us, and I can assure you it isn’t for the looks! 😊 What is it that draws people back week after week? Besides the food!

As we interact with the Veterans, we get to show God’s love and understanding to them each and every time. As we sit and listen to someone who is having a tough day/week, may we always remember that in James 1:19 we are told to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. There is a reason why we should listen first. When we listen, we can hear so many things in each word that is spoken. We hear anger, or we hear joy, and sometimes we hear bewilderment. This is the best time to be able to show God’s love to each person we encounter.

As the Greek philosopher Epictetus once said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” May we always remember to listen to those around us each and every day.

~ Elizabeth, IVOS (Veteran Program) Associate