The older I get the less stuff I want or need. I guess stuff just doesn’t matter to me like it used to. The older I get the more I value people – friends, family, kids, husband, everyone.  Everyone I meet has a story. 

Do you like stories? I love hearing stories of what people have lived through and overcome. I’m naturally curious and ask questions to almost anyone. 

Our church went Christmas Caroling tonight at a local nursing home. We had a blast. I met a music teacher from a close by town. She told me about how she taught for years. Her eyes lit up while she talked. We shared a moment in time that was precious. 

Then I sat by another lady and she shared how her friend was turning 100 in April. She said she had to go meet everyone before we started. She pointed our another friend who was still as young as ever at 86. I said, “I hope, I’m that active when I’m 86!” Another precious moment with a beautiful woman created by listening. People love to talk. 

Tonight I learned the value of just shutting up and listening. We bring value to others just through listening. The joy of listening brings magical moments! Hallelujah!

 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. – James 1:19-20 AMP