A friend gave me an article that tells about an "organ recital" most people would rather avoid. It read like this:

"After a week in the hospital, a man cornered a neighbor one day and told him the results of his experience. His heart was in bad shape; his kidneys and liver were barely functioning; his stomach was in terrible condition. 'Before I could get away,' said the neighbor to a friend later, 'I had listened to a complete organ recital.'"

We've all had to listen to people who seem to enjoy telling others every detail of their problems. We may feel sorry for them, but we also feel sorry that we have to listen to their seemingly endless recital of physical ailments.

We need to ask the Lord for enough Christian love, however, to be genuinely interested in the problems of others. This troubled world has a tremendous need for friends who will be good listeners and will "weep with those who weep" (Rom. 12:15). What comfort and encouragement we may impart by being willing to give a ready ear to someone who is suffering! This can be a real service for Christ.

The Lord Jesus had a healing ministry. With the help of the Holy Spirit and with a compassionate and understanding heart, we can have a hearing ministry!  — Richard De Haan