I had a visit from two friends this morning. They listened to me whine about life in general. I had a very trying week last week, but do you ever complain to someone and then wish that you had not? These two friends, as I think about it have had much worse weeks this past week than I did, and they just listened with real concern, asking pertinent questions and . . .just really hearing me. I'm grateful they were the ones who came.
I have another neighbor who is a very take-charge, controlling personality, and it has become apparent to me over the years of our friendship that she really does not ever listen to me or to my ideas. She only wants to have me gush and rave about how great her ideas are and then have me do as she directs. That is not a real friend.
I think that true friends listen as much as they talk (which, by the way I didn't do this morning) and they keep confidences and give love and support as well as receive it. I was doing a lot of taking and not giving with my friends this morning and I will find a way to be more unselfish today. I'm grateful for the inspiration.
Listening , really listening is a great gift to give another person. Real concern and real confidence in your friendship is another gift. That's really what God gives to us when we pray, isn't it? I'm so grateful I can pray and be heard with genuine concern for my problems, and not only that, but I hope I can give gratitude and love back to my Father from the bottom of my heart.
