Our family appears to be in a "No Listening Zone." Everything, well A LOT of the things, My Man and I say doesn't even make it to one ear out of the four we're talking to. Our words come to a screeching halt just at the ear's opening and BAM! The words encounter the Zone's wall and is crushed to smithereens.
I know we're not alone in this Zone. I see it on Facebook and Twitter everyday. Each of us has our own story; some that are occurring this very minute. We're in this together.
"Why don't they listen?" That's the question that escapes our mouths. WHY?! Frustration builds up, voices are raised, tears are shed, and doors are slammed. They're only 2 and 4! Aahh!
Then my heart is pierced by these words, "Why don't you listen to Me?" The season that our family has entered into is all dependent on listening and obeying. We, as parents, are working at guiding our children to become adults in this crazy world. God, as our parent, is also working on guiding us, His children, to become more like Him.
Everyday is a fight with Him in some sort of way. I have my own tantrums (which probably to Him look like the ones our kids throw...YIKES!). I stick my fingers in my ears and say, "I'm not listening." Or worse yet, I flat out say, "Nuh uh. I'm not doing it." And like Bean, I go back to my Dad with tears overflowing and say, "I'm sorry."
I think listening and doing are dependent upon trust. Trust is such a hard concept for me to grasp as I have had many people, including those that were supposed to care for me, break that trust. I know (because I've read it and experienced it myself) that God can be trusted. He has proven Himself time and time again that He is ever so faithful. Yet, I don't trust...right away, I don't listen...the first time, but, there He is with open arms ready to take me in...AS-IS...non-listening ears and all.
He gives me infinite "chances" to change my tune and listen. So why do I give my kids 3? Well, sometimes maybe 4. What can I say? I'm a work in progress.
In this season, I will be learning to accept His truths, trust that He knows best, and to listen the first time. Maybe THAT will rub off onto the kids...just maybe.
Kate
I know we're not alone in this Zone. I see it on Facebook and Twitter everyday. Each of us has our own story; some that are occurring this very minute. We're in this together.
"Why don't they listen?" That's the question that escapes our mouths. WHY?! Frustration builds up, voices are raised, tears are shed, and doors are slammed. They're only 2 and 4! Aahh!
Then my heart is pierced by these words, "Why don't you listen to Me?" The season that our family has entered into is all dependent on listening and obeying. We, as parents, are working at guiding our children to become adults in this crazy world. God, as our parent, is also working on guiding us, His children, to become more like Him.
Everyday is a fight with Him in some sort of way. I have my own tantrums (which probably to Him look like the ones our kids throw...YIKES!). I stick my fingers in my ears and say, "I'm not listening." Or worse yet, I flat out say, "Nuh uh. I'm not doing it." And like Bean, I go back to my Dad with tears overflowing and say, "I'm sorry."
I think listening and doing are dependent upon trust. Trust is such a hard concept for me to grasp as I have had many people, including those that were supposed to care for me, break that trust. I know (because I've read it and experienced it myself) that God can be trusted. He has proven Himself time and time again that He is ever so faithful. Yet, I don't trust...right away, I don't listen...the first time, but, there He is with open arms ready to take me in...AS-IS...non-listening ears and all.
He gives me infinite "chances" to change my tune and listen. So why do I give my kids 3? Well, sometimes maybe 4. What can I say? I'm a work in progress.
In this season, I will be learning to accept His truths, trust that He knows best, and to listen the first time. Maybe THAT will rub off onto the kids...just maybe.
Kate