Shush, Listen, Love

I have been thinking about pursuing a path in pastoral counseling, with a specialty in addiction counseling.  I keep wondering if it’s the right way to go.  If it’s what I’m being called to do.  If I can truly help anyone.  The urge is driven from the CRAP.  It is a worthy cause, since crap is the code word my wife & I refer to for the event that almost destroyed our marriage.  The  current plan is to do a reader’s digest condensed testimony at the local life line recovery group in hopes that there are people in the group that would feel comfortable to approach my wife and I about their issues.  My wife needs to be a part of this, just as much as shes a part of me.  Both stories need to be heard; the example has to be there to be seen.  But I’m wandering a bit, I woke up the other morning with the realization that I have a big disconnect in practicing what I preach.  I’ve met a few people recently that I turn away from.  I don’t want to hear their story of them.  I feel like I’m  short changed because they don’t want to hear about me; gee, do I sound like counselor material?  I have been a good listener.  I can be a good listener.  I just cant be a selective listener.  Jesus wasn’t, Jesus didn’t.  If I truly want to help people, then I need to work through that it’s not about me (although it is); it’s about them.  I need to shush…listen…love.