You’ve heard the saying, “Talking is sharing. Listening is caring,” haven’t you? I saw it on a sign in front of a church a couple of years ago, and it caught my eye. In the last few weeks, I’ve seen it again several times. I’m not sure who first said it, but it really is true.

One time not too long ago I sent out a devotional to my list of email subscribers and it included me telling about a challenging time that I was going through and how the Scriptures has really had a big impact by providing a lot of encouragement. I was very surprised by the amazing response that I got from readers. Some were old friends that called to check in on me, and other readers that I have never met sent me encouraging emails. A number of people even said that I should call them if I need someone to talk to. That was very special to me.

Just knowing that they took the time to email or call, and that they cared how I was doing, really meant a lot to me. By doing that I knew that my friends and readers had truly listened to the message of my devotional, and they cared enough to show it.

The world we live in is always hectic and busy, and it’s easy for us to have trouble listening to others. We tend to get distracted by what is going on and by the concerns in our own lives and we don’t stop to think about how we can help others just by listening. Most of us our guilty of this, but it is something that we can work on.

Listening says, “I value you. You are important to me. I’m concerned about what you are sharing because it’s important to you.” Yes, listening deepens relationships, builds trust, and affirms the other person. It’s a way of showing God’s love to those around us.

Throughout the Gospels, we see the Lord Jesus listening to people and their needs. In John 3, Jesus listened to Nicodemus, a prominent and righteous, Jewish leader who questioned Him about His teachings and His miracles.

Not too long after speaking with Nicodemus, we read of a well known story where Jesus talked and listened to a sinful woman while she was getting water from a well. This woman would not have been considered worthy for most of the leaders of that day to pay her any attention, but Jesus did. He wasn’t concerned with things like wealth, status, gender, He was there for people that needed Him. This gives us a terrific model that we should be following.

Thank you, dear friends, for your care and concern. I want to let you know that my unpleasant event was resolved as well as it could be, and there has been reconciliation. Thanks for caring! Thanks for listening!

God, I thank You for the wonderful friends that you have placed in my life. I ask that you would help me to be a good listener and to show the love that these friends have shown to me during my difficult times.

Ann Shorb is a counselor and the founder of Christian Counseling and Educational Services in Hanover, PA. They provide a variety of services including premarital counseling, Christian marital counseling, family counseling and much more.

Parents always find that when the kids are quarreling with each other, it harms their relationships. It is important to teach the children to be respectful and peaceful, which would make their life happier and be beneficial to the whole family. Sisters, like brothers, also make mistakes by being too patronising, too caring, aloof or uncooperative.

It is crucial for sisters to strike a balance when interacting with their siblings. The followings are some common mistakes they make, with the suggested precaution.

Tip 1: Dominating the younger ones: Younger siblings often find elder sisters dominating. When the elderly sisters try to control and shout at them, they gradually become less respectful. The elder sisters should try to be supportive and friendly but not dominating.

Tip 2: Not giving way to the siblings: Sisters’ opinions, choices and personalities may be different from those of their siblings. However, sisters should not ignore their siblings under any circumstance. They should be tolerant and make a concession whenever necessary. This can improve the situation.

Tip 3: Not lending an ear: Being the elder and more experienced one, older sisters can play the role of a good listener. Be sure to pay close attention and give them useful advice as they go along. Youger siblings will be enlightened by the kind words and trust in you to keep their secrets.

Tip 4: Having little time together: Sisters should accompany the siblings more, having common friends is a good way to go. If sisters do not hang around, do sports or having entertainment with other siblings, it means that the siblings are not having fun, love and support that they should offer to each other. As they are not sharing experience, the natural bonding is not strengthened.

Tip 5: Eavesdropping: Sisters should never eavesdrop even if they are inquisitive about their siblings’ secrets. It is an offensive behavior that may make their siblings distrust and disrespect them. Instead of eavesdropping, sisters should share with their siblings and encourage their siblings to share with them.

If you pay close attention and not do any of those mentioned, you’ll be respected and loved by all of your siblings. Siblings are helping you in retun be shaping you into a more self-confident and considerate paerson. Do not run away in times of rage.

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