For the month of March, we are Listening to I AM and Listening to Others. Allow me to share with you one friend’s perspective on what it means to listen...
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Kathy Creel. I am originally from the Nashville, Tennessee, area. I am a classic middle child between two brothers and am a 44-year-old Marriage and Family Therapy student at Harding University. I have one son by birth (also currently a Harding student) and two by choice (one is still at home); my husband Tim and I are approaching our sixth anniversary.
In addition to mothering young men, I have two super-sweet rescue dogs that I love dearly. And I am amazed at how I see God’s unconditional love and joy in these little creatures on a regular basis.
Oh! And I also happen to serve on the Board of Directors for this really cool ministry: Iron Rose Sister Ministries. I would love to talk with you more or, as we are highlighting this month: “listen to you,” about how you can partner with us in all God is calling us to, equipping women to connect to God and one another more deeply.
What does it mean to listen?
Listening means to actively engage all your senses, not just your hearing. It requires intentional attention. There is an all-consuming level of engagement that is required when you are truly listening.
Is there anything different between Listening to I AM and Listening to Others?
For me, Listening to I AM requires stillness, absence of distraction.
In human relations, we can somewhat listen to each other in the midst of distractions.
Listening to God requires the attentiveness of stillness and silence. It is a much more reverent approach to listening.
Is there a Bible verse or Bible story that has informed your perspective on listening?
There are actually two verses:
Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be silent.”
As a believer, but also a modern woman, there is a great deal of pressure to be active during every waking moment. It has required a great deal of discipline for me to create the space where I can effectively listen.
For me, the being still in God’s presence was a key concept—being still so that I could listen. Otherwise, my mind is a vortex of activity.
What has been the most powerful or impactful piece of advice about listening to others that you have heard?
The most impactful experience I had was being mentored by my human hero, Dusty Doddridge. Dusty is my former supervisor in Career Services. And, by watching him interact with students, and through his direct coaching of me, I learned how to listen for things that weren’t being said. Dusty really taught be the value of being fully present in the moment. The value of being a safe person was very impactful.
Dusty is also a professional wilderness photographer and is a big believer in removing yourself to nature to be in the presence of God and His majestic creation. I did not understand the power of that until I got to know Dusty.
What a blessing! How has that played out for you in family, church or Christian sister contexts?
I definitely speak less and try to identify messages that aren’t being said. I also understand that each person has his or her own reality and is a unique creation. Being present is important. And I think that in my own personal relationships, seeking to understand and trust the best of intentions in everyone is essential.
What have you learned from Listening to I AM?
I don’t have to have the answers. It is not my job. It is my job to be obedient.
What have you learned from Listening to Others?
Sometimes God speaks through people that you wouldn’t expect. But when God knows that we need to hear something, He will put the right person in our lives to help us hear exactly what we need to hear.
I loved my job in Career Services—helping students at a local university choose a career, find a job, and succeed in life.
Our former director called me to his office one day and was just asking what was going on. I shared about my husband’s job search. He responded, “You are going to go, aren’t you? It has been on my heart to tell you that you need to go with your husband. You guys need to be together.”
This is someone that I did not have a close personal relationship with, but because he was a director, he knew a lot... We hadn’t had those direct conversations, so the way he phrased it really got my attention.
And it was that day that I decided that I would obey, wherever God was calling us. I would obey. It didn’t mean I wouldn’t grieve the job I loved that I would be leaving, but I knew that God would honor obedience.
And that one conversation really solidified my resolve.
God spoke through that person at that moment to affirm the truth of what I needed to hear.
God is so gracious, isn’t He?!
Thanks for sharing part of your story and for encouraging all of us to Listen to I AM and to Others.
#ListentoIAM #ListentoOthers #IronRoseSister