Speak: I'm ready to listen

Speak Lord, I'm ready to listen

This past Sunday I taught in the first and second graders in the K6 Art Studio.

The curriculum this month is the story of Samuel and how in the quietness of the night, he heard God call his name. The art studio is set up with dim lights, soft music, candles, and a large rug and pillows. At the door the kids are invited into this special space. They are asked to take off their shoes and use their quiet voices.

Once all the kids have arrived, we moved to the rug and pillow area for a bedtime story. As Goodnight Moon is read, the kids are encouraged to visualize the green room, the cow jumping over the moon and the little bitty mouse. At the end of the bedtime story, we transitioned into the story of Samuel. The young boy who hears a voice at night, but mistakenly thinks it is his mentor, EIi calling. When Eli realizes that young Samuel is in fact hearing his name called, the old man instructs Samuel to say, “Speak Lord, I am ready to listen.”

At the end of the story the kids are invited to come over to the work tables to create a 3D piece of art. The studio is very quiet and for 40 minutes the kids are focused on their personal creation – cutting, pasting, punching holes, bending, taping and coloring.

The Real Me

me, just me. . .

always restless,
always striving,
always working and wanting more.

sometimes
more stuff, more education, more fitness
more books, more plants, more affirmation, more talent

sometimes
more peace, more silence, more time,
more kids, more faith, more love, more stillness

The Spirit is
also always working, always calling,
always inviting

May I learn to walk in the Spirit's shadow
and respond to my soul's yearnings with gentleness and care.

For all is good,
all is gift and
I am a beginner and always will be
just a beginner on this journey to the heart of God.

Teach Me to Listen

When kids have questions,
they are looking to engage in conversation,
not necessarily solve the problem.

Being present, being available to talk and listen is what is essential. This is very important for parents and those who work with kids. More times than not adults would be more effective, listening to the kids, keeping quiet (not teaching!) and then asking a few good questions with lots of affirmation, “that is a great question. I can tell you have thought a lot about that.”

. . . teach me to listen, O God,
to those nearest me,
my family, my friends, my co-workers.
Help me to be aware that
no matter what words I hear,
the message is,
"Accept the person I am. Listen to me."

Teach me to listen, my caring God,
to those far from me--
the whisper of the hopeless,
the plea of the forgotten,
the cry of the anguished.

Teach me to listen, O God my Mother,
to myself.
Help me to be less afraid
to trust the voice inside --
in the deepest part of me.

Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit,
for your voice --
in busyness and in boredom,
in certainty and in doubt,
in noise and in silence.

Teach me, Lord, to listen. Amen. (adapted by John Veltri, SJ - Hearts on Fire, p30-31)