Listening When HE Talks.

          

To Listen Wholeheartedly. 

            Well, here I am again, in the middle of the night. Feeling unsettled. What is it? Why the unsettled feeling in my soul tonight? Actually, I have felt it all day. Our pastor has been talking on God talking to you and how we need to be ready and quiet and listening. It's imperative to have a dedicated prayer life and to read daily. However, he says he has talked to people that have said to him that God told them something. He says he is always amazed that they are still standing. He says that if God talked to him, he doesn't think you could even answer from the overwhelming power, awe, etc. of God himself. I suppose you could site the story of God having to put his hand over the crevice where Moses was so that He could pass by. And that the glory of God shown on Moses face when he spent time on the mount to receive the tablets. Exodus 34:29-30 ²⁹ When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. ³⁰ When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.
In Exodus 3:6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
              I can see how someone might say that to HEAR God would be almost (maybe) horrifying. I am struggling with this. The reason? I have heard God. I know, I have now had several of you roll your eyes and maybe even turn off this page. But, it is true. When my second son was so very sick and in the NICU for so long, I was up for many hours. I lived on very little sleep. I figured out once that I was living on 4 hours, accumulated sleep. I would catch time here and there when I could. One reason was because not all of the medical staff liked me being at my child's bedside at all hours of the day and night. I suppose, I was infringing on their turf. Not all of the nurses were that way though. Many said they would do the same. During this time, I was closer to God than I had ever been. I prayed a steady stream. I understand the passage in the Bible that says to pray without ceasing. I also read my bible a lot. I was seeking his guidance and comfort. 
            Well, one night I thought that I could slip off to bed for a few winks of sleep. My little darling was fed and sleeping. No meds scheduled for a few hours. I had a nurse that I thought was going to be on my side. Well, I had no sooner laid my head down and I heard, very clearly, "Get up! He needs you now!" I even was already on my feet. I didn't realize that there was no one in the room to say the words I heard until I hit the NICU door. Where I found the nurses all around my son's nurse as she was feeding him a bottle. (This was something that was against what I had researched. What he was wrong with my son would be helped much more with breast milk. And he had actually had a problem with the formula in the first week. ) When I walked through the door, she went pale and shook her head ( the other nurses spread out and I heard a lot of murmuring about me always being there, and I always seem to know. ) and asked, "How did you know?"
              I answered, "He told me." At the time it didn't seem strange. I just took it for granted the God had told me and it was normal. Even though I realized later that it really isn't a normal everyday occurrence. 
            Am I crazy? I didn't die. I didn't fall down in fear? Does that make me irreverent? Some would say that the sleep deprivation made me a little crazy. Maybe. But, I remember that moment in that 4 months so much more clearly then anything else. There other moments like that where I felt God's presence but, only that time when I heard him. 
           Well, as I struggle with the before mentioned sermon that was taught in church and think maybe I am crazy, I read this morning in my Bible: Acts 9:10

¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
   “Yes, Lord,” he answered.

                 Ananias didn't die either. He just answered. There are several examples just like this. 

What about Samuel? He was still a child when it happened to him. 

I Samuel 3:10- ¹⁰ The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
   Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”


           Of all of the stories where God speaks or calls someone, Samuel's story is my favorite in that he is an innocent child and he doesn't even know it is God calling him. Also, it says that the Lord came and stood there. Samuel was still able to speak. 
             So with that said I think it safe to say, that God does speak on rare occasions. I am not saying that you sit and have a daily conversation in the way you and I could sit and talk. I think that when He wants to talk, He does. I just pray that if He ever talks to me again, I am listening. I am not from the camp of, "God CAN move mountains, He just chooses NOT to." I don't believe that for one minute. I believe He moves mountains everyday. We just are in a world that never stands still long enough to notice. He says, in Psalm 46:10-

¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”

           
               I know that my God talks and probably even sings. I know that he is here and everywhere. I know that He loves me and is concerned with the things that concern me. After reading that passage above about Samuel again, I know sometimes, he even stands near us. With that I hope that I can always say, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Gratefulness. My List of 1,000 Things to Be Grateful For. (Ongoing)

        


                                                       Blessings come in all kinds of packages!!


             So, I have heard so many sermons on being thankful. I've read blogs on being truly grateful. Goodness, one of my favorite songs to sing to the kids is "Count Your Blessings". I really only sing the chorus to it when they are falling asleep ( one of the songs they like).
            It all makes me wonder, am I truly thankful for what I have. Do I consistently yearn for more? What am I modeling for my kids? Are they content and grateful? Well, we really had a test recently about being grateful for things, money, etc. And a few times we have been tested by how grateful we were for health as well as the little things. We know that God has blessed us with everything that we have. Every breath we breathe, every heartbeat, every second of everyday, God has blessed us with. I have seen photos of people in Rwanda and other 3rd world places that people walk for miles to get water. That isn't our life. If we have to drive 6 miles to a grocery, to choose what we feel like eating this week, we get frustrated. My husband and I have an ongoing debate as to which Trader Joe's to go to. The one that is 1.5 miles or the one with the nicer employees, and better parking that is 2.5 miles (can you tell which side I am on?). This is a luxury problem. Not even a problem. Why do I forget or overlook that it is a blessing to disagree on which Trader Joe's to go to. Some people don't have a grocery or the ability to choose what they eat even. I don't need to preach to you. I am just putting my own heart in the right place.
            With that said, I know many people; celebrities, teachers, preachers, friends, even family, have encouraged us all to write down what we are grateful for, or maybe what makes us happy. I have a friend that for the month of February, wrote everyday on what she loved. So, I have really thought about this and have decided that I, as well as my kids, (we'll see if hubby wants to do it) will be making a list. (I know I love lists). The list will be 1,000 things that we are grateful for, thankful for and count as a blessing. Big things, little things, anything.
            I will keep a running list here of mine and share some of the kids blessings they write down as they come along. I'm sure they will come up with some great ones.
I will add to it as time goes one. I am wondering how long it will take me to get to 1,000.


             My Blessing List!

1. Clean Water
2. Clean air to breath (used to live in Corona! Stinky and smoggy).
3. toothbrushes and toothpaste
4. my incredible husband
5. my wonderful children (I never dreamed of having 4!)
6. a warm house to live in
7. a car that is paid for
8. my ocean view
9. being saved
10. our church
11. dear friends 
12. a full pantry and refrigerator
13. a great natural Doctor
14. Dr. Bob
15. the beach
16. internet
17. chocolate (I would put sweet tea but, I am fasting from it right now. I'll save that one).
18. my car that is big enough to put everyone and still have room for groceries
19. Trader Joe's
20. Heat (it's cold today. Ha ha! 55.)
21. home-schooling
22. pounds dropping (albeit slowly) from the scale
23. My grandmother is still alive and my kids have been to her place. (wish we could go more)
24. That I can pick up the phone and talk to my mom 
25. Showers
26. swimming pools
27. books
28. The Bible
29. Prayer
30. Learning a lesson quickly rather then banging my head too many times first.

Well, here are the first 30. It may take me a good long while but, I really think that this is a fantastic exercise for each of us. I am hoping to do some everyday but, we'll see if that happens.

Indiana Jones would be scared.

      I used to work outside of my home before I had kids. I had several different kinds of jobs. The last being a preschool teacher to 24 3-4 year olds. Needless to say I was tired by the end of the day. But, there was an end to the day. I also knew all of the things I would never do as a parent. I went to school for this. I was taught the best way to do most anything with kids. Now I had no delusions that I would never make a mistake but, come on, I had dealt with so much already. I referred to my teaching job as a time when I could learn how to raise my kids while taking care of others. These parents seemed so incompetent sometimes. I was 22-25 years old, never had kids of my own. But, had lots of classes. That made me an expert and these parents believed that. I look back now and think,"Why would they think I was so wise? And experienced?" It was true I was dealing with 24 kids and their personalities. Yes, I had dealt with so many different issues on a huge scale where these parents only had one or 2 kids. The parents were so tired and didn't want to think anymore. "Just tell me how to fix this." That was the mentality. Now with 4 kids of my own, ranging from teen to toddler, I understand feeling that way. Unfortunately, there is no simple fix for most issues kids deal with. No magic bullet. If there was, don't you think we would have discovered it over all of the generations since Adam and Eve first blew it with Cain and Able???
        When I turned in my 2 weeks notice from that job because I was pregnant and frankly tired of "raising" other peoples kids. My boss said,"When are you coming back?" When I said I wanted to stay home and raise my own kids. She laughed and said I'd be back because I would get bored. That bothered me. Really? While finishing my pregnancy at home I began getting ready for the baby. Then I scrape booked. Then I cleaned. Then I re-organized. Then I did neat crafty things. Then... I wondered if my boss was going to be right. Would I get bored? Could I ever have enough to do without ending up watching soap operas and Oprah all day?  
          Fast forward to about 3 and 1/2 years ago. I had 3 kids then. Here is a typical day that could make Indiana Jones run for the hills screaming. Oh, and that boredom thing has never been worried about again. (Don't get me wrong, I have had my share of days hiding in the laundry room for a quick cry and pity party. Those just have to be very few and far between.)
            Here is the snapshot:  My husband had left for a business trip (not something he had ever done before) for 3 days.  We had a new bulldog puppy to add to our dachshunds already "full" life.  He was being house broken but, not too well.  My older two boys were hungry and being "oh so helpful", bringing in groceries. Now filling the counter.  The baby ( #3, #4 wasn't born yet) needed to be nursed and laid down for a nap and was vocalizing this beautifully.  My sink had this mornings breakfast dishes soaking and the dishwasher was  in need of emptying. Oh yes, the dishwasher repair man was supposed to be there in about an hour and a half. With a 20 minute call before he arrives.
            RING!  As I answer the phone, the kids are dropping 1/2 a container of grapes all over the floor and there are peals of laughter, the baby again vocalizes he's hungry NOW,  the new puppy squats on the kitchen floor, and it's the repair man. "Hi. I'm at your front door."
                                                    Snap that picture and put it in your scrapbook.


            These are the days that older women stop and tell you to enjoy because they are short lived. "Soon they will all be gone and living on their own." I always want to ask if they will do their own laundry then too.   I know, I'm being a bit dramatic but am I? We moms know these days don't last forever but, sometimes aren't we glad that there is an end in sight?  I don't mean that all of the moments are bad and tiring. We all know they aren't. But, as your household fills so do the duties you have to preform as well as, thinner is the already stretched time you have to get things done. It's o.k. to think these things. If we are honest we all think them. And as you can see we must be living in a sort of post traumatic stress syndrome or Stockholm syndrome. Why else would we have more kids? Or add animals to the mix? Or invite guests to stay with us? Or HAVE CHRISTMAS!! I'm just kidding about the last one. (Sorta). We do it because we love and want to do for others. We were put here to do God's work. We are to be fruitful and multiply (not asking for more God, just quoting here), care for his creatures, and be hospitable. We also realize the time we thought we didn't have enough of before, can be stretched even thinner. There really is enough hours in the day to care for each other. Maybe not to get the laundry done, but, stop and love each other. 
            Philippians 4:13 says, " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 



          

  “…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:2, NAS)

Endurance. There is a word all moms and frankly, dads need to pray for. This is a race. Not a fast sprint, a marathon. You are not only running it, you are a coach to the children in your care. You will help prepare them to run this race that God has put before them. We can't run it for them. Although most of us feel like it would be easier if they would just move over and let us. We need to prepare them for this race. The day above is just a small portion of the marathon but, my reaction and ability to laugh is going to be a training lesson for my darlings. I hope I pass as a good coach. Some days are going to be harder than others and I hope that with this little blog, you and I can be an encouragement to each other. 

“Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37)