I'm Hearing-Impaired, But I Think It's Cool Because --

" ... they go about about from house to house being ..... gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not."   ... 1 Timothy 5:13


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So back when the Earth was young (heh), my family and I discovered I'd lost half my hearing in my right ear. Measures were taken, but nothing improved (for long), so like many folks, I learned tricks to handle this loss.

No big deal. 

And all these decades later? Well, let's just say when I wear headphones, I can't hear a thing from the right side. So hey, who knows? Maybe I've got a 90% right-ear hearing loss by now.

But am I freaked-out? Nope. 

I get along fine, sometimes even wondering if maybe my other ear has 120% hearing ability.

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Only while in crowds is my hearing a problem, but you know? I've become kinda clever at reading lips. It's fun, even, and I practice sometimes by turning the sound way down on the tv which means, hey. I'm also easily amused.

Yet this morning at the cafe I recalled my favorite reason why my wimpy right ear doesn't bother me.

While reading my book, three women in this very tiny cafe sat and gossiped. You can tell when it's gossip because people speak in hushed tones with sentences starting with, "Then she said .....," and "I couldn't believe she walked over to ...," and "Everybody looked shocked when she ....". Heads shake from side to side. Eyes roll.

You know. And well, Honey, God hates gossip so I figure so should I. 

In fact, if I'm ever seated with a group of gossiping women, oh man. I'll just have to interrupt and speak stuff like, "Oh, that's so sad. Perhaps she was acting out of hurt? Joyce Meyer says, 'Hurting people hurt people,' and I think that makes much sense."

And that's just one reason I'm not popular. But oh well.

Anyway, I silently prayed for the 3 women, 2 of whom I count as kind acquaintances. Then, very discreetly, pulled lots of my hair over my left ear which I plugged with my index finger so I could--oh joy! Read without the uncomfortable distraction of gossip, only a soft, indistinguishable murmur. 

Oh blessed, gossip-free silence! And how I appreciated, again, this hearing loss which God enables me to handle. 

He cares about the details, about me, and He makes certain that I miss out on no good thing. Just many bad ones, especially as I choose not to participate with darkness.

"An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue."   ... Proverbs 17:4

Unsure whether gossip is wrong? Please go here.

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Oh Youtube! You really are remarkable. シ

Did you know Youtube has free audible books? Or that you can watch old episodes of the show, It's a Miracle?

My, my, my. What I keep discovering there!

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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15