Listening skills

It was one of "those" days. . . The type of day when the kids wake up all cranky.  The type of day marked by poor behavior, crying, temper tantrums, screaming, doors slamming, feet stomping, and no naps. . . The type of day that gives you a glimpse of what the teenage years will look like in a house full of estrogen. The type of day when as a parent you want to cry and rip your hair out -- or like me, be on my knees praying constantly for patience, wisdom, and peace.

Throughout the day I kept reminding the girls that they needed to listen to me.  I reminded them about the importance of having their listening ears on, to hear and do what mommy asked (a.k.a; obedience).  Being 6.5 years, 3.5 years, and 15 months old, that is HARD.  It is hard because these ages are marked by egocentric desires and they just want to do what they please, when they please.  I just trust that one day my words will sink in and they will do what I ask the first time, and I will not have to keep being a broken record repeating the same command over, and over, and over. . .

At bedtime, I led the girls in prayer and it went something like this:
Dear Lord, thank you for today even though it was a hard day.  Thank you for the blessings you pour into our lives.  Help us to know you love us always and want the best for us.  Help us to know that mommy and daddy love each of us (Arianna, Cara, and Evelyn) just like that.  That mommy and daddy just want what is best for us, and we have to trust that they are helping to teach us be better people so that we can grow up to glorify you someday.  Help us to listen not just with our ears, but with our hearts, and obey mommy and daddy --  because that way we learn to obey you.  May we always strive to be better people -- in your son's name.  Amen.  

I told the girls I love them very much and I don't like to have to discipline them or give them consequences, but I do so because I want to teach them right from wrong, and to make better choices.  We talked about how Jesus can help them if they ask for his help.  And because he lives in their hearts, they have ready access to him always.  We talked about how hard it is to ask him for help in the moment when our emotions are running wild -- I told them it's hard for me sometimes too.  But that if we ask, he will give us peace and help direct our actions so that we make better choices and can avoid negative consequences.  Arianna (my 6.5 year old) replied, "But Mommy, there are two voices inside my head.  One that tells me to do things I know I shouldn't, and one that tells me to stop and don't do it.   I know which one is Jesus, but sometimes it's so hard to hear him because he is more quiet."

How absolutely right she is!  Wise beyond her years sometimes.   It can be very hard to hear Jesus's voice, especially when our emotions are high.  We all live in this world, and however much we fight it, sometimes selfish desires and wants invade our quiet minds and hearts.  It is much easier to hear the loud siren call of this world.  It is everywhere on tv, movies, books, and in the people who surround us.  We often give into temptations when we know we should not.  Temptations look different for everyone.  Money. Sex. Success. Power.  Drugs.  These are all big ones.  But even more subtly are the temptations to say things we shouldn't; to be impulsive when it comes to our reactions to others; quickness to anger and frustration; comparing ourselves; and proclaiming unfairness. . .

Whatever decisions, choices, or temptations you are dealing with in your life, I encourage you to listen to God with amplified ears.  When Elijah was seeking God on the mountain he discovered that he had to attune his ears to hear the Lord:
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.   (1 Kings 19:11-13)
The Lord's presence was in that gentle whisper, and Elijah recognized that.  God is all powerful and holds the forces of nature in his hand, yet he chooses to talk to us in a small, still voice.  This world is loud, noisy, and messy. And like Arianna so poignantly stated, it is hard to hear the Lord.  But as I told her, that doesn't mean he is not there.  It just means we have to listen harder, with better listening skills and with daily practice.