Words of Comfort: Thank you for listening!

"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.'" — Matthew 2:13/NIV I wear several professional hats in life: chaplain, therapist and health care medical professional. In each setting, I listen to people, and you could say I'm in the listening profession. People tell me their concerns with very much detail, and my brain must be like a sponge. Reflective listening is a skill I use while wearing each of these hats — I listen to the person, repeat back to them what I heard, and seek confirmation my understanding is correct. Then I try to help with the stated concern. At the end of the day, I must have a lot to think about! When I go to bed at night I dream all night long. Most of the time I recall very little of what I dreamed about. There was one night when I had a lengthy dream, and I could only remember one statement spoken to me at the end: "Thank you for listening!" After this word of gratitude was stated to me, my eyes popped open from a sound sleep. I was awake, then five seconds later the alarm clock went off. Was God speaking to me in an "alarming" fashion? Had something happened with someone where I listened and that helped them? Or, had God been speaking to me and was I listening? I seek to listen to God through quiet time, Bible readings, devotions, notable theologians and their teachings, and situations I am involved with. As God speaks to me, I will know what to do: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" Psalm 119:105 (ESV). "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10/NKJV). References from Ephesians and Psalms reassure me God has plans for me, I should be paying attention and listening, and He will light my path guiding me where to go and what to do. As I had a dream where I was "listening," I can hear God saying to me: "Thank you for listening!" As God routinely speaks to me through His various methods, my goal is to listen and follow His guidance. Passages from Matthew, Ephesians and Psalms remind me of the importance of paying attention and listening to God. I wonder, when people watch me, will they be able to see evidence of this? "And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24/ESV); "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:20/NIV). Self-reflection consideration: Is God speaking to me in various ways? Am I paying attention and if so, is there evidence? It's what I do that defines me. Through evidence of my actions, will God be able to say to me: Thank you for listening? Good to consider. Many blessings to you! James Reasor is an author and Kingsport community chaplain. EDITOR'S NOTE: The Times News has teamed up with area clergy to share "Words of Comfort" in our print edition and online at timesnews.net. Any member of the clergy who would like to get involved can contact Carol Broyles at cbroyles@sixriversmedia.com.