When on the other hand, I struggle to write, it is because I am trying to speak on the page rather than listen there. Julie Cameron, The Right to Write, p. 10
Listening doesn’t come easy for me. I love people, but I feel responsible to do tasks all day long. My people are loud and needy.To live slow and listen requires intentionality. On the other hand, sometimes when I sit down to listen and write, I fall asleep. But, with words locked away lately, I am ready to try anything. I have read that I need to listen on the page instead of trying to speak on there. So, when I sat down to write recently, this is what I heard in the background of my life…
Sunday brings a few moments of pause and I sit in my big read chair and close my eyes while the baby sleeps. In a moment of beautiful harmony the three older girls agree to play dolls together. I hear them choosing names, dressing their dolls and setting up house. The sweetness of the moment is more than my mama heart can take. This is what I pray for—sisters who are friends and love to be together.
I remember wanting a sister with all my heart. I had an older brother and he did not care for my Barbies and girlish ways. He was into sports and if I wanted a playmate I played on his field with his rules.
So I’m sitting still, listening to my girls, and a little jealous of their bond. I’m proud that my oldest is helping the others and that my middle girls are not fighting.
And as the moment hangs in the air and I am tearing up I hear the story take a turn. One of them says, “Now, let’s all turn into zombies and attack the neighboring village.”
And so they did.
:::
Have you listened to your life lately? What did you hear? Did it surprise you? Did it make you smile? Did you find words for your page? I’d love to hear from you. I am listening…
{Linking up with my other Write It, Girls today!}
Aww those moments of quiet that allow you start to hear – really hear. They are priceless. I also understand that need to keep working on the list of things to do, even when I should be listening – my little guys are just starting to really need that attention from me, and it’s not easy.
Marissa
love this! doing a lot of listening myself, lately. my problem–i often forget what i hear before i can get it down on paper 🙂 but the listening is a joy. a respite, or sorts.
appreciated this sharing. have a blessed day!
steph
I am the same way. I often forget what I hear from my ‘life’. I find it handy to have my phone and take notes when I have an idea or hear something that needs to be on the page.
Oh, this is a hoot! I have an older brother as well and love him dearly, but like you I have always wanted a sister. I guess that is why blogging and social media have become an important part of my world. I suddenly have many sisters who I can share life with – a girl’s life (with a few zombies, of course!)
Blessings, today. I am writing with you at Write It, Girl.
Blogging sisters – love that Kelli!
First–congrats on your 600th post! (I had to look. Mine today was 154) : )
And your post warmed my heart. I had brothers that surrounded me in age, and then a very baby sister. By the time she was ready to play dolls, I only wanted to practice french braiding their hair and make-up techniques on their faces. Or her. Still, we tried to make it work. Our adulthood found us as the best of friends. With children near the same age! And all is right with the world again…
Striving with you to listen today and hear what comes my way with my whole heart. Thank you!
Thanks Nikki! I have to laugh, who knew my 600th would be about zombies! 🙂 But it is fun how listening does lead me to at least 2-3 posts that I could write – sisters, friends, family, parenting — or zombies!
Hahahahaha! I love it!
I love the way you write, encourage, and reflect His grace.
Hilarious! I know those moments. You can’t plan them. They just happen. When all seems good in the world. And then the zombies….. 😉
What a great story!
It’s just starting to get fun to listen to my two. The baby doesn’t really say anything, but her big brother is starting to talk to her more, and sometimes it’s fun hearing what he has to say. Sometimes it’s not so fun because it’s along the lines of “don’t touch my trucks, don’t touch my puzzles, don’t touch ….”
Tonight he was giving her hugs and telling her that he liked her though, so that was sweet.
And I was the middle child to two brothers. I’ve always wondered what it would have been like to grow up with a sister.
Haha! That is awesome! I love to listen to my little play. Especially when Mason joins in with the girls. Their little minds are so funny! Although, today I listened to a new game they were playing called “dead mommy, dead mommy”. Hmmmm? that was interesting.
But I don’t take the time to stop and listen often enough.
thanks for this pos. And for doing write it, girl again! I love it!
I’m not a great listener. I get accused of that all the time by the members of my household. Of course, I’m often not in the conversations that they thought I was in but that is a whole other issue. This is so good Stacey, to stop and listen to the theme around me. I often have swirling thoughts in my mind and I observe and take in but I’m often not aware of what is going in, in this context. Thanks for the prompt and for the Write it Girl link up, love this community.
I’m taking this to my prayer life — less talking and listing and asking … more listening. Thanks for the beautiful reminder of James 1:19 – be quick to listen slow to speak