Editor's note: We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest blogger, Dr. Kesslyn A. Brade Stennis. This is her debut blog with Adventist Today.

A few weeks ago, while preparing to teach my wonderful students who are enrolled in a Pastoral Care and Counseling graduate program, I read a quote from the textbook that prompted some deep reflection.  The quote appeared on one of the first few pages of the textbook; yet I had never seen it. Or maybe I had seen it but had never given it the mental time or space that it rightly deserved.  Nevertheless, on this particular day, for some reason the short quote arrested my attention and served as the springboard for personal and professional growth. 

What was the profound quote that impacted me so deeply?  "Love is listening".  Simple, right?   You are probably saying, "That statement is only three short words.  It's nothing complex".  Yes, I thought the same thing when I first read it, but the more I read it and the more I thought about it in the context of my life, the more riveting it became.       

"Love is listening". The statement reminded me of so many others that are similar regarding listening.  "Listen to hear and not to respond."  "Listening requires the use of your ears, and not the use of your mouth."  "Listening is key to any relationship." While all of these statements have significance, I never really considered listening to be equivalent to love, as is suggested in the quote.  "Love is listening".  

If this statement is true, and love is listening, then I have some work to do.  I have some habits to break and some changes to make.  Although it has only been a few weeks since reading the statement, I am already committed to loving (listening) more intently and intensely.  And, this blog provides me an opportunity to do just that: love (listen) more intently and intensely. Yes, I know that this commitment seems to be counter-intuitive since blogging requires sharing information.  Yes, I do hope to utilize this blog to share, but only after I have practiced love through listening. 

First, I plan to listen to God.  In my quiet, prayerful moments, I plan to attune my spirit to the spirit of God.  In my moments of meditation, I hope to hear the still, small voice of God.  Even while participating in daily activities like caring for my family, teaching my students, driving to my numerous ministry meetings and enjoying my music, I will seek to pay attention to the guidance given by God.  And hopefully, God will see my desire to love, and will provide guidance in how to love through this blog. 

Secondly, I will listen more acutely to my "self".  Since working at two Jesuit universities, I have had the opportunity to learn the practice of peaceful presence.  This practice of peaceful presence considers being mindful of one's own thoughts and feelings in a manner that is delicate.  While my life seems to be full of commitments, responsibilities, and the challenge of saying "no", I am committed to spending peaceful moments with myself so that I can hear what my "self" is saying to me.  And hopefully, my "self" will see that I am loving me by listening, which enables me to share with you from a more introspective place. 

Not only must I listen to God and to my self, I must also listen to those who report the events of the world.  If I am to speak truth to power, and if I am to show my love for those who are oppressed or seemingly forgotten like Jesus did, then I must first listen to their plights and the stories of their lives.  Unfortunately, because so many of their voices and lives have been silenced by oppressive forces, I am forced to attune my ears to hear of their experiences vicariously through the mouths of others: news persons, talk show hosts, investigators, neighbors, church members, researchers, teachers, parents, helping professionals, civil engineers, politicians, newspaper writers, mystics, waitresses, preachers, wise women, clerks, seasoned men, babies and the like. Just like the prophets of old, if I am to speak about the sins that so easily beset our society, I must first be aware of them.  Awareness comes by listening; therefore, I will keep my ears open and demonstrate love by listening.  As I was taught in seminary, I will carry the Bible in one hand and a newspaper (or laptop, or magazine, or journal, or textbook) in the other so that I can hear the stories of those who suffer aloud or in silence, like Shaniya Davis. 

Lastly, I will listen to you, the readers and respondents of this blog.  While I ask for your patience as I become acquainted with this mechanism of loving, I encourage you to provide contemplative feedback which promotes intentional listening and critical thinking for all.  Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, recommendations and compliments.  Please provide me the opportunity to love you by listening to your comments.  

Thank you for showing me love on this inaugural blog.  More specifically, I give a special thank you to David and Marcel for introducing me to this opportunity.  I hope to continue writing blogs that are prompted by what I have heard from God, my "self", and information sharers, particularly those who are within the borders of this electronic medium. Remember that "Love is listening".  Much love to you all. 

Kesslyn