Meaningful conversations are ways in which our voices can truly be heard. During the past weeks, I have had the opportunity seek the wise counsel of my trusted “sounding boards”, as well as serve in that capacity for others.
My listening skills are in continual need of refining, so in my quest to truly engage with the one sharing their thoughts and feelings, I earnestly strive to be receptive and attentive. In such instances, prayers for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and discernment are a fervent, frequent request.
Am I truly hearing what is on the heart of the friend before me? What are the words that would be most encouraging to her? And, what is it that God would want her to see – or me to say?
We all have certain people who have the gift of making us feel comfortable, safe, and accepted in their company, thus allowing our words to flow freely from within.
During a recent visit with a dear friend and spiritual advisor, I had the awareness that God was using her as a soundboard that amplified what His thoughts were. It seemed as if His light was shining from within her, reflecting outward in my direction.
In musical terms, a soundboard is “a thin resonant board (as the belly of a violin) so placed in an instrument as to reinforce its tones by sympathetic vibration”.
I believe that , being WARM, we each have been given that internal place of sacred resonance. Herein lies our ability to engage with others and provide a place where, if you will, a harmony of thought can occur – that sympathetic vibration so vital for honesty and transparency in relationships.
If this precious quality is present , we can reach deeper levels of connection, and have that wonderful sense that we are understood. Such encounters are an enrichment to our lives and a balm to our souls.
On this day of Happy Hearts, I pray that you receive the gift of wise and holy listening…and in that moment, feel God’s love reverberating within.
If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—
indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as silver and search for it as hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. ~Proverbs 2:1-6
beWARM 
Love this. I love the concept of wise and holy listening. I think that when people ask great questions, it shows that they are being truly receptive and attentive. Here’s a great quote from a recent Momastery post I loved –
“Questions are like gifts – it’s the thought behind them that the receiver really FEELS. We have to know the receiver to give the right gift and to ask the right question. Generic gifts and questions are all right, but personal gifts and questions feel better. Love is specific, I think. It’s an art. The more attention and time you give to your questions, the more beautiful the answers become. Life is a conversation. Make it a good one.” -Glennon Melton, Momastery
As if you wouldn’t have guessed…that was me. Guess I wasn’t logged in. -lwm