Have you ever been alone in the middle of people, especially if the people are relatives? You try to tell someone what is going on and they look at you as if you speaking a foreign language. Or they laugh because you are not making any sense. I have had people get angry with me because they thought I was making fun of them. I want to be understood. I have something to say that is important. My needs are as important as anyone else. I think that so many people do not listen anymore. I can listen to a person and tell you who they are within 10 minutes of listening to them. Most people are unaware that they will tell you their life’s story within minutes. The secret is listening, not hearing. Listening is paying attention to a person and understanding as they talk about anything. I think sometimes it is a lost art.
Mt 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Ecc 1:4-8 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

A friend of mine just died. My wife and I met he and his wife when they moved to our town after hurricane Katrina destroyed their home in New Orleans. An older couple who decided not to rebuild their home in New Orleans. He was a hardworking man who did manual labor most of his life. He was fairly easy going, but could stand up for his rights when necessary. He and his wife came with us each time our sons were deployed to Iraq. They helped us with our work for the La. National Guard. They were parents and grandparents. He told me once he missed his home in New Orleans. One son lives in California. His daughter and family live here in town and another son lives in New Orleans. Most of their friends are gone. He was in his eighties. Now he is gone. What will people say about you when you are gone? What will be your legacy? Will anyone remember you? This little man made an impact on my life and my families. You know what was funny he wasn’t trying to do anything but to be a friend. To everything there is a season, a time to live and a time to die.