Daily Devotional: Hospitality (Day 9)

Hearing is not the same as listening. Hearing means “the faculty of perceiving sounds” whereas listening means “give one’s attention to a sound” Notice the difference…listening is not just perceiving a sound, but it is giving it your attention. Part of real conversation and hospitality is truly listening to your guests.

We have all heard the saying that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” An alternative to this phrase could be “the way to a friend’s heart it through your ears.” Learning to listen to someone is the key to making them feel welcome and valued. “LIstening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends, to get to know their inner selves more fully and even to dare to be silent with you.” (Henri Nouwen)

How good a listener are you? Don’t focus on what you are going to say next but take the opportunity to let the words they are saying to sink into your soul. Active listening says to our guests “you matter to me.” Treat those words they are entrusting to you with care. You will be giving your guests a precious and important gift.