Ella put down her Bible, frustrated. She’d retired nearly six months ago, and she still hadn’t figured out what God wanted her to do with her time. Not for lack of asking. She glanced at her watch. The midweek Bible study would start soon. Maybe she’d head over to church early and visit with folks before the study started. It had to be more productive than sitting around home, hoping for answers that wouldn’t come.

She opened the back door and let Rupert inside. After rubbing his ears, she stooped over and planted a kiss on his head. “I’ll be back later tonight, boy. You take care of the place while I’m gone.” Rupert answered with a wag of his tail. What a comfort he was to have around.

Ella turned off the TV she kept on for background noise and made her way to the garage. When she turned on the car, she tuned the radio to her favorite station and sang along to the oldies on the way to church. When she entered the classroom where the Bible study was held, the only person in the room was Mabel. Poor Mabel. She’d suffered from macular degeneration for several years and now was completely blind. Even if Ella didn’t know what God wanted her to do with her time, she could be grateful she had her sight.

She walked about ten paces into the room and Mabel turned toward her. “Well good evening, Ella. Is your leg bothering you?”

Ella stared at Mabel. “How did you know it was me? And yes, my leg is stiff and sore. I have a bit of bursitis in my hip. How could you possibly know that?”

Mabel smiled. “Most folks in the study wear soft-soled shoes. But yours click on the floor. You’re dragging your one foot a bit, so I guessed there was something bothering you. You can learn a lot from listening.”

Ella took a seat next to Mabel, amazed by her perceptiveness. A moment later, Ruth entered the room. Ruth opened her mouth to greet them, but Ella put a finger to her lips. Ruth’s forehead creased, but she kept her mouth shut. Mabel put a hand on Ella’s arm. “Are you trying to test me? That’s Ruth.”

Ruth moved closer. “What’s going on?”

Ella shrugged. “When I came in, Mabel knew it was me because of my shoes. I was curious if she could identify anyone else when they came in.”

“Of course, I can.”

“But Ruth’s shoes are soft soled. How could you tell?”

Mabel shook her head at Ella. “I told you. You can learn a lot from listening. Ruth shuffles when she walks. It’s easy to pick her out of a crowd.”

Ruth shrugged. “She’s right. Parker always tells me to pick up my feet, but it’s a bad habit I developed over the years.”

A moment later, Rachel hurried into the room. Before Ella could say anything, Mabel squeezed her arm and whispered “Rachel. She’s always in a hurry. Her footsteps are twice as fast as anyone else’s.”

As the study started, Ella had trouble focusing. Her mind was on Mabel and her extraordinary ability to discern what was happening around her without being able to see. But the other ladies drew her in, and soon she was participating with the rest of them as they discussed the gospel of John.

When the study ended, each woman around the table shared a prayer request. When it came to Ella’s turn, her request was heartfelt. “I’ve been struggling with this new season of retirement. Jacob and I had always planned to travel, but since he passed a few years ago, I don’t have the desire to go by myself. God made it clear it was time to leave my job, but I’m not sure what He has for me in this new season of life. I’ve been praying and reading my Bible, but He hasn’t told me what to do.”

They went around the table and prayed for one another’s requests. Mabel’s prayer for Ella was short and sweet. “God, please teach Ella how to listen.”

Mabel’s words played in Ella’s head as she exited the church. What did Mabel mean? Maybe Ella didn’t listen as well as blind person, but she knew how to listen, didn’t she? She stopped next to her car. The chirps of crickets and the hum of cicadas filled the late summer air. She smiled. Perhaps Mabel was right. She never really stopped to listen to the noises of the night. She started the engine and the sound of the oldies filled the car. See, she listened to music all the time. But maybe that wasn’t what she was supposed to be doing. She shut off the radio and prayed. “God, thank You for Mabel. Please help me listen. Not to music, not to the television, but to You.”

Sure, she read her Bible dutifully, and prayed. But did she ever take the time to listen to God? How could she expect Him to give her an answer if she never gave him the chance? All her prayers were one-sided. She talked to God, but never allowed Him to answer. That was changing tonight. Tonight she’d start listening.

She drove home in silence. When she entered her home, she didn’t move to turn on the television. She greeted Rupert, noticing the sound of his nails on the floor and the swishing of his tail. Once she removed the noise from her life, there was so much more to hear.

She sat on the sofa, and Rupert hopped up alongside her. They sat together in silence, Ella stroking his head, until the clock chimed. Ella smiled. That clock had been her grandmother’s. She hadn’t thought about the chime of the clock or her grandmother in years. What a wonderful lady. She was always busy. She volunteered at the local food pantry, and baked cookies for the neighbors. Why, she even crocheted prayer shawls for people in the hospital. Some of Ella’s fondest memories of her grandmother were when she taught her to crochet. Something else Ella hadn’t done in years.

At that moment, Ella’s eyes filled with tears. Was the answer really so simple? All she needed to hear was the chime of the clock, and the memories of her grandmother inspired her in so many ways. Tomorrow she’d call the food pantry to see if they needed help, make a trip to the grocery store for cookie ingredients, and the craft store for yarn. It was time to do what God was calling her to do.

James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Dear God, We often have lives full of noise. Please help us unplug and take the time to listen, first and foremost to You, but also to the others in our lives. We can learn so much from listening. And while we may not hear Your voice directly, please help guide us to hear You in other ways. When we read the Bible, let us open our hearts and our minds so You can speak to us. And when we pray, help us listen to You. Thank You for your patience with us and for Your guidance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

.