Are You Listening?

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of getting to know our confirmation on retreat to Saint Simons Island. It’s a long, wonderful weekend spent learning about spiritual gifts and bonding through team building.

I taught our young glass several new games and led them in writing their class creed. Each new session of recreation or education was, of course, met with enthusiasm and frequently a lot of extra chatter.

It’s a tradition for this group to have an intimate time of sharing at the end of the weekend, and for this retreat, that means taking turns talking about each other’s spiritual gifts. Adults and leaders participate too, and when it was my turn, one young girl said something very insightful.

“I think you’re a good teacher, Kena, ” she said. “And I like how you say to us ’are you listening’ when your teaching because it makes me think ’am I listening?’ And then I think ’no, I’m not.’ So then I listen!”

I was both amused and amazed by the young girls honestly. Every teacher has a trick or phrase they use to get the room’s attention. Though I had only meant to use the phrase to quiet the rowdy bunch gently, it had sparked a brief moment of introspection for her, which I thought was rather interesting.

It’s funny when Jesus had one of those teacher phrases too. Over and over, he uses the phrase: If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.

Mostly, when I read, I skip over that phrase. It sits as a kind of filler text before or after relevant teaching. But entering into this season of lent I am struck by my tendency not to listen. Not to listen to God and not to listen to other human beings.

Among other spiritual disciplines, I’ve decided to make that small question my internal refrain for the season on Lent. The phrase “are you listening?” will sit as a gentle reminder to be open to the things of God instead of preoccupied with my agenda.

I am thankful for my student’s reminder that we do indeed have ears to hear if we would simply quiet down.