Daddy's hear-
*the bell on the ice cream truck
*a car that needs power steering fluid
*a car that needs to adjust their timing belt
*a 747 in the air
*his name after repeated for the fourth time
*exactly what a wife is SAYING not FEELING
Mommy hears -
*the creak of a hinge to the cupboard that contains the snacks
*the click of a remote that is changing the tv away from the agreed station
*the whispered threat of an older kids to a younger kid
*the muffled scraping of the cookie jar lid being put back into place
*the untwisting of a cellophane candy wrapper, especially if it is after brushing teeth, but before bedtime
*the shaking of a piggy bank
*the opening of the fridge door
*the opening of any door, especially after bedtime
*the cry of a child during the night
*the whimper of a child during the night
*the sniffle of a child during the night
*the unusual breathing pattern of a child during the night
*the blinking eyes of a child awakened during the night
Kids hear-
*the untwisting of a cellophone candy wrapper, even if mom is hiding in the closet of her bedroom
*the jangle of change in a Daddy's pocket
*everything their friends say
*the ice cream truck
*the crinkle of dollar bills in Mommy's wallet
*everything Daddy says
If you're the kind of wife I am, you might chide (sounds better than nag, huh?) your hubby for not listening.
We chide the kids for not listening.
We long to have our voices heard.
Maybe that's why we blog.
Someone, somewhere, is listening.
(Technically, yes, reading, but it has the same result as real listening!)
The Lord has this same longing for people on earth to listen to Him.
Matthew 13:9, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
We all know there is a difference between letting the words enter the eardrum AND listening and engaging with the heart and mind. The Lord knows the difference, too.
Sixteen times in the New Testament the He says, "let him hear."
He speaks through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 17:5, "While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
He speaks through His Word, the Bible.
Luke 11:28, "But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
He wants us to hear Him, but He is listening to us, as well. This is what He wants to hear.
3 John 1:4, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
We walk in the truth because we hear His voice. We've come full circle.
Our longing for our husband and children to hear us should be a spiritual reminder of same desire the Lord has for us.
"Are you listening?"
Great to read your words again, Mindy. As always, wonderful insight. Struggling to hear God myself these days. Thank you for the scripture. I've avoided the computer in an effort to potty train. What results have you found? I have continued to pray for you even though I have not blogged in over two weeks.
ReplyDeletetotally awesome, nice, and yes, i do HEAR lots of stuff . . . by the way, what was that you said last night that you wanted me to do?
ReplyDeleteWhat a good reminder. Oh, that it would all begin with us (me) listening carefully (oh, so carefully) to Him. Then taking that heart that has been heavenly touched, out into the world. Oh, change me first Lord, then help me to make my children better listeners too...for your glory God.
ReplyDeleteKimmie
mama to 8
one homemade and 6 1/2 adopted