I’m not sure how I developed the habit of being a poor listener.

I have several theories:

• I am an only child, therefore I have a life-time habit of listening to myself before I pause to listen to anyone else. (This should explain so many things about me.)

• I am selfish. Although I am an enthusiastic listener, I am often eager for you to get to the end of your point so I can tell you about mine.

• I am impatient. I enjoy conversation so much that sometimes I fall into a dream state where I think we are in perfect step with one another, and that I intuitively know what you are about to say. In eager confirmation of my mind-reading skills, I will burst forth, interrupt and complete your sentence. (I almost never get this right, but somehow I keep right on trying.)

It’s taken me a long time (and a lot of awkward moments) to understand the finer points of conversation and just how far I tend to drift, but it wasn’t until I began to listen to the voice of God that I began to grasp the true value of intentional listening.

Do you need to work on being a better listener? Then sit down with me and we can learn together.