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November 14, 2025

Listening to Show Love

November 14, 2025 by RACHEL HENDRIKSON LISTENING Balancing ministry, family, & life
Listening to Show Love
  • by RACHEL HENDRIKSON
  • Comment
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalms 62:8

I had just gotten done sharing way more than I was planning on saying. I mentioned to the small group that our bunny died the week before. It was sad but I wasn’t crying about it. But then as I shared how hard it was on my children, the tears starting flowing. I was moved to tears because my kids had to say another goodbye and it was really hard for them. Then came the thought that brings so much guilt to my heart if left unchecked “Because of the ministry life I have chosen, my children have to say so many goodbyes, I am making their life harder.” And all this from mentioning that the new pet had died!  


I recently completed a training course to become a life coach. I get to partner with ministry leaders to help them navigate life changes and ministry challenges. I have learned the importance of listening. So many ministry leaders spend time listening to others. If we are given the opportunity to have a conversation that is completely and unashamedly about us, a lot can come to the surface. In the conversation above, the bunny dying was the tip of the iceberg. The real heartache was the unprocessed guilt and grief I feel because my children have had to say so many goodbyes. 


David Augsburger said “Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” Maybe that’s one of the reasons why Jesus listened well when He was on earth. He asked hundreds of questions in the Gospels. He knew the answers, but He was allowing those He was talking to the chance to process their own heart. Jesus had every reason to be the busiest person on earth, yet He didn’t rush. He made time for people. He made time to ask the question and listen to the person’s response. 


So today I have two questions for you… 


First, how are you doing with listening this week? To your teammates, your children, your husband, your friends, the people you are ministering to…do they feel heard by you? 


Second, who is listening to you? Psalms 62 says “Pour out your heart to the Lord”... He is listening. He wants to hear you and it does your heart good to pour it out to Him. And if you want to meet with a life coach, know that Thrive offers an Alongside program that can connect you to a life coach for free. There are women willing and happy to listen. 

Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You for always being available to listen to us. It’s something I take for granted. It is truly amazing that You are the Creator and Ruler of all yet You are eager and available to hear my thoughts. Thank You. Please increase my fellowship with You so that our times of conversation are life-giving, and as my needs are getting met by You, please give me the capacity to listen well to others. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Resources
Book: Listening and Inner Healing Prayer by Rusty Rustenbach This book has been a great starting place for learning to listen for the Lord. So many times, my prayer time can look like a lot of me talking and no listening happening to what the Lord wants to say to me. This book helps explain simple ways to become a better listener in my prayer times.
Resource: Thrive Alongside Alongside is a program that provides one-on-one relationships to assist in setting and accomplishing goals and nurturing spiritual growth through three areas of support: mentoring, life coaching, and spiritual direction. Each is provided by volunteers skilled (and certified in the latter two arenas) in these areas, and is available virtually so women everywhere can benefit
Question for Reflection

How are you doing with listening this week? To your teammates, your children, your husband, your friends, the people you are ministering to…do they feel heard by you?

Comments
Rachel Hendrikson
November 14, 2025

I think I am doing ok listening to those I am ministering to. The challenge is when I am at home and a hundred things are going through my head and then my husband wants to share something or my children have a question. I try to be intentional about having focused time to be 100% available to my family. It’s a battle to stay on top of this because I am very task focused. One simple thing I do is go in my kiddo’s rooms when they are hanging out. They have told me that they like when I come in just to say hello and see how things are going. It makes them feel like I am completely available to listen so I try to do that on a regular basis.