Listening

A man feared his wife wasn’t hearing as well as she used to and he thought she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach her, he called the family doctor to discuss the problem. The doctor told him there is a simple informal test the husband could perform to give the doctor a better idea about her hearing loss.
“Here’s what you do,” said the Doctor, “stand about 40 feet away from her, and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response.”

That evening, his wife is in the kitchen cooking dinner, and the man was in the den. He says to himself, “I’m about 40 feet away, let’s see what happens.” Then in a normal tone he asks, ‘Honey, what’s for dinner?” No response.
So the husband moves to closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from his wife and repeats, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” Still no response.
Next he moves into the dining room where he is about 20 feet from his wife and asks, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” Again he gets no response.
The man walks up to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away. “Honey, what’s for dinner?” Again there is no response.
So, he walks right up behind her. “Honey, what’s for dinner?”
“James, for the FIFTH time I’ve said, “CHICKEN!”
(From www.CharacterCountsInIowa.org)

Have you ever felt that way in your conversation with God? You speak but He doesn’t answer? My experience is that God always answers the prayers of His children. Sometimes the answer is “Yes.” Sometimes it is “No.” Sometimes it is simply, “Not yet.” And yet why is it we don’t hear His response? Perhaps we should examine our own hearing and remind ourselves that prayer is a two-way conversation. Do you find yourself talking TO God with all your requests but not really listening for His response? Practice regular quiet time with Him throughout the day. I like to use transition times, when I am between tasks, like getting into a car, or before going to visit someone. Breaks and meals, arising and going to bed are also great times to set aside for listening. Dedicate some of this time for reading and reflecting on His Word.

But how will I hear His voice? God is completely unlimited to His ability to speak with you through His Word, through His Spirit, through other believers, and through circumstances. Take time to develop the habit of listening to God throughout the day every day. How else can you carry His light into the world?

Don't be shellfish...