Listening

Lately I have listened to six very different people tell their stories (as in brief overviews of their lives).

These were all relative strangers to me - and that just made the whole experience that much more compelling.

To hear of difficulties weathered;
pain walked through;
about relationships good and bad -
their high points and low -

Hearing of a child growing up with a severely mentally ill mother; of a wife cruelly abused physically and mentally;
of a young mother who coped with seeing her very ill child through the harsh treatments necessary;
of financial brick walls;
of dashed hopes and failed marriages. . .

Most of these tales were told in a matter of fact way - the tellers seemingly unaware of their own heroics

I just sat there and marvelled at the courage and resilience of the human race
And at God's unending variations in throwing out a life line - even to those who do not yet know Him

These were all ordinary people -
or is there any such thing?

The myriad fascinating life stories there are all around us!
Everyone has one.
No two are ever the same.

Its like a gigantic untapped gold mine!

Maybe there is no such thing as a dull person either
Maybe some people need more skillful and patient "miners" than others . . .

And maybe listening well is one of the most underrated qualities?