Listening
Posted on March 24, 2026 by
Our Bed & Breakfast guests always seem to inspire us! Through conversation, we learn a lot about them, but more importantly, we learn from them. When we welcome a guest, we will ask about their life, family and careers. In turn they ask how we got into the B & B industry; did we build our house, and how long have we been in business. This is the get acquainted phase.
Maybe over breakfast the first morning, we enter more into a relationship with our guests as we learn how a couple met, how a mother-daughter traveling itinerary works, or how guests from Germany are experiencing the United States. Amazing conversations evolve.
This past winter, a guest at our B & B inspired me. I enjoy writing, but sometimes I lose my inspiration. One comment inspired to do some writing. In sharing stories with her about how we built the B & B while living in our airplane hangar and how we got our loan because of being extras in the movie “Wish you Well,” she said we should write down some of our stories to be sure they are passed down to our children. She commented that these are “Blessings.” Indeed.
This bit of advice helped me turn a corner in writing to consider my life’s stories of gratitude, grace and blessings. Just released, “Whispers of Grace” is my collection of stories that Jack and I have experienced that are wrapped with my interpretation according to how I believe God spoke to me, acted through me, or was present beside me during situations in my life. It is published under the name Karen DeBord Phillips (along with my other children’s books)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
Recently I finished the lovely book entitled “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi. It was given to me by a dear friend for my birthday. Not a very exciting title nor cover art, but I could not put it down. My feeling is that this is a story about relationships. It’s a story of listening over talking and hearing over being heard.
Both of these works may point to the phase of life in which I find myself. As life’s lessons are hard to learn, being present and listening (for even what is unsaid) is something I am continuing to work on in my hospitality practices and indeed day to day life. It takes time, and it takes stepping away from being a parent and teacher; two roles which has filled my life. How about you?
Come see us at Bedford Landings! We can chat (if you want). I will listen!
