Sometimes when I don’t want to hear what’s being said, I just stop listening. Has anyone ever done that? If I ignore the situation, it might go away, right? Not. I find that I rather not ask a question if I don’t really want to know the answer to the question. I rather be safe than sorry. I rather know that I would be happy with the answer before I ask the question. But seriously, that’s no way to live. Where is the risk in being safe? Where is the freedom in taking a leap if you always know where you are going to land? This doesn’t leave room for faith.
Sometimes people think God is not listening to them. I think it’s the other way around, at least for me. I sometimes choose not to listen. I know He’s up there saying, “Are you listening to Me, Nadine?” I’m down here saying, “Why is God not talking to me?” Could it be I’m not listening because I don’t want to know the answer? Of course.
So, Lord, I’m sorry I do this to You. Talk to me, I’m listening.
© Nadine Z. 2008
20 comments:
Speak Lord, your servant Nadine is listening... and she's really cute!
I love you,
Tom
This is so true...and so well said, Nadine. I think we don't always really listen to what God is saying to us, even though we say we want to hear!
Your post is very thought provoking, and, as I would expect... came at a very perfect time for me to LISTEN to you speak though God to me.
My mom and my mom-in-law have both been ill... and my husband and I are the care-taking children (we each have 2 brothers). It sometimes gets difficult because we love to be together, we love to be with our 4 kids and 8 (any minute, 9!) grandkids... and we include our moms in just about everything... AND we each have our own business that require lots of time. We even have to make nursing home decisions... not easy for them... or us...
but just yesterday I was thinking, how does all this time stuff get resolved. Am I selfish to want to be with my husband for one romantic dinner? Is anyone listening to my questions?
As I was driving home from swimming lessons with Audrey and her 4 darlings yesterday, her oldest guy said, as we passed her church, "Mommy, that is where you prayed for Benjamin and Henry!" This is true, and he remembers Audrey telling him that she asked God to send little healthy children to her when she was pregnant. He said, "Mommy, what is a prayer?"(he is years old).
Audrey said, "It is talking with God. Sometimes just getting all your thoughts out. Sometimes asking for help."
He thought for a moment and said, "Mommy, could you ask God to make tomorrow Saturday so I can be with my cousins on the ferry to New York?"
We laughed and laughed at his innocence... but with him, and now with your post, I know I NEED TO BE LISTENING A LOT BETTER... because the answers and the peace with my decisions will come.
Thanks, Nadine! This is like a little miracle to start my day!
What a nice post - He is always listening!
Have a good day - Kellan
Sometimes I think we allow way too much noise into our lives and His voice gets drowned out! Thanks again for these thoughts.
What a good reminder.
very beautiful one NAdine!
Alot of ppl just HEAR but dun LISTEN.
*HUGS*
Keshi.
And we think our kids are the only ones with selective hearing!
Brenda :)
AWWWWWWWWWWWWW
As crazy as this sounds, I once told my husband when we were dating (long distance relationship) that if there was something that happened, ie. another girl flirting, a party at his place that his roommate threw with lots of chicks, etc. DON'T TELL ME. If it was beyond my control and would make me jealous, don't tell me about it. Can you imagine? What was I thinking Nadine! This was NOT building honesty and trust, it was building ignorance. It was a self protective measure with me being willingly ignorant.
And in life, if I can remain oblivious... to the things that God wants me to give up to Him... then I can go on my happy way, right?
Um, no. God will get my attention one way or another. So YES. I need to not only stop and listen, but to SEEK His truths.
Just as ALWAYS...fabulous post!
Jennifer
What a great message. I know lots of people who ask questions but really don't want to hear the answer.
Great post with good reminders.
How about when when we ask the question, God answers, we hear, but pretend not to because we KNOW He has answered and we don't like the answer? Hmmm... (Not that I would do this! Ha!)
Blessings!
Listening gets hard sometimes. Some wise person once said "we're vulnerable to deception when there's something we want" (or don't want, I suppose).
Listening sounds like it would be so easy but it's not always the case.
I know you'll hear when He speaks...
It is hard to stop what is going on in your own head and listen. Try meditation.
"Talk to me; I'm listening" is an awesome prayer.
I find that hearing God's voice is a lot like the book, The Polar Express, where the kids hear the bells and the parents stopped hearing them when they stopped believing. We need to have the faith and hope of a child sometimes.
Amen Sister!
Glad to hear about your book Nadine! how exciting is that! :)
And listening.. a constant battle in my mind and our house (hey 4 children.. need I say more right? lol)
Seriously, since we've started having kids my ears ring b/c of the noise and it's hard to really listen to the good things somedays. I've been praying about having better listening skills and how to deal with everything around me. I came from a quiet 2 kid home originally, so all the fun around here is really hard for a not so fun girl as myself! lol
I know that's not quiet what you were getting at, but I do think that actually affects both spiritual and physical. I used to love to listen to God, and to people, now I struggle more with both b/c I can't get the quietness inside of me to calm down long enough...hugs and prayers!
I think sometimes it would be easier to say that I can't hear Him, or that maybe He isn't speaking to me. He's talking, and I'm hearing; but, unfortunately, I'm not always obeying. It seems like little stuff though like...it wouldn't be beneficial for you to do that, or, be careful how you respond. It's kind of frustrating 'cause I want to hear...Kathryn, invest here,or, buy that house, or, you know...something great like...when you reach this town I will have so-and-so waiting for you and you are to tell them... Oh yeah! In the interim, I suppose I will obey when I hear. ;) Thanks for the reminder.
Truth!!!! So much truth!!
Susan
Very true! nice post! Thanks Nadine!!!
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