Listening

As I have settled into my new role I seem to have quite a few people asking me questions. While I don't mind questions, the annoying aspect is that they are pretty much the same two questions over and over again; How is it not being in the dorm? Or, What background/formal training do you have to be a guidance counselor?

The first question has an answer that is not yet fully developed. I am still learning my role and learning all the ins and outs of what it looks like to be living a "civilian life" as a good friend calls it. My cop-out answer so far is along the lines of, "It is bittersweet and very different. Different is different. Not necessarily good, not necessarily bad, just different." Perhaps in the coming weeks or months I will be able to better answer that question, but for the time being I am satisfied with that.
The second question has a clear cut answer, NONE. I do not have any degrees in counseling, or anything remotely close. I have never been a guidance counselor before. I have never even read the book, "Guidance Counseling for dummies." In fact, I don't know if such a book exists.
I can be honest and say I hate being asked that question. The question drives home fear of feeling inadequate and unprepared. Being asked that question seems to give the devil a foothold to whisper, "you're useless. you can't be productive here. you don't know what you're doing." After being asked I sheepishly smile, avoid eye contact and try to change the subject of conversation.
However as I get more plugged in to work I have realized the thing I do most is something you don't need any training in. It is an easy thing to do, yet so few seem to be able to do it. The task? Listening.
In reading a Chuck Swindoll book the other day I was greatly challenged and encouraged. He had this to say on the topic, "Listening. I don't mean just hearing. Not simply smiling and nodding while somebody's mouth is moving. Not merely staying quiet until it's "your turn" to say something...Check out Christ with the woman at the well (John 4) He could have blown her away with an endless barrage of verbal artillery. He didn't. He genuinely listened when she spoke; He "listened slowly." He read the lines of anxiety on her face and felt the weight of guilt in her heart. As she talked, He peered deeply into the well of her soul. It wasn't long before she found herself completely open, yet not once did she feel forced or needlessly embarrassed. His secret? He listened. He studied every word, each expression. Even the tone of her voice...Two ears. Two eyes. Only one mouth. Maybe that should tell us something."
I have taken these words to heart. In my job I spend a lot of time listening to the students, and I love it. I listen to their dreams, their desires for higher education, their struggles with academics, their funny stories. By now I know how to change a class schedule, look up grades, and inform parents their children are doing poorly in class (never a fun one). But above all as the students continually come into my office I hope to be someone who will genuinely and sincerely listen to them. That is something I don't have a degree in, and I am absolutely fine with that.