Listening to God…

When I was 18 years old, I heard a still small voice speak to my heart for what I wish I could say was the first time. However–I know I’d heard Him for 18 years–it just took 18 years for my stubborn heart to REALLY listen. We all hear it…just some people don’t want to listen–or just shut Him out in fear of what might have to change…what if their husbands don’t hear it too…what if my life has to change…

But–oh…to LISTEN…and FOLLOW…there is nothing sweeter.

What if I lived life hearing but not listening?

What if I stopped listening–and my life got too busy and loud to even hear?

Then–I would be missing THIS.

I would be missing His BEST for my life.

It’s not about what you might have to change…but about knowing and experiencing His perfect love…and loving others through Him…not in YOUR strength…but in HIS.

What if I thought this world was about ME? What if I planned my days around WHAT I WANTED? What if I scheduled my children’s lives and schedules around what was most convenient for ME? Because…it’s just not about ME…there is SO MUCH MORE TO LIFE THAN…me. YET–God looked down and saw ME. And said it was really about HIM–but He loved me enough to come down and die for me. And for you. So it could be about Him.

I was dying eggs with the children today…and I was thinking about how they are changed as they sit still…

By the way–to make you smile…Frank is our “official egg cooler”…he blows on them to cool them off before we dye them…(and yes–we experimented with a brown egg–which doesn’t dye well so don’t try that at home)…

The children wanted to dip these eggs in the dye and see IMMEDIATE change. But…they had to sit…they had to wait…they had to be still…

And then…much more was able to be added to them…so much more…and how much brighter–how much more vibrant…spilling over with joy each and every one…

Lately, the Lord is really teaching me to not live by looking to the right or the left–looking to see how others are living but to LOOK TO HIM and follow. And it can be awfully hard to follow when I don’t know what He wants me to do. Mother Teresa said, “In the silence of the heart God speaks and this is the time that He will speak to you.” I need to slow down more often…I want to be still in His presense…I want my heart to be transformed to REST in His will for my life.

Richard and I often make decisions that makes others look at us like we are crazy or say things to us that would be hurtful–BUT because God is the one who led us…we can smile with joy and confidence that we are choosing to live by His guidance rather than what the world holds in high esteem…

We said goodbye to the country club membership and we’re convinced golf courses in heaven are sweeter…and my husband can still take the boys out to public places that offer the same sweet father/son bonding. For us–that just made sense. We said yes to adoption–although the American dream says 3 kids is pushing it because how will you send them all to the college of their choice…and we thought 4 sounded sweet because God said He would provide and promises in His Word to meet all our needs. We rested when people told us it would be hard for us to have a black son and for him to have white parents…because we think having a family to love you is best of all–and following the Lord is even better. Nothing we have changed in our lives has been a SACRIFICE at all…but a complete transforming us from the inside out–freeing us to love others and rest more…and truthfully enjoy life as I’m convinced it was created to be lived. For His glory–for His sake…and not for ME.

All the things we have said good-bye too…is change in the bucket–traded in for so much we do not even deserve. And to think…had I never listened…we might have missed all this. Sitting here tonight I have to actually THINK of what we might be doing if we weren’t following Him on whatever He calls us to. The countryclub I chuckle at…I can’t believe it was ever a question for us. HEAR THIS–I am NOT saying you can’t be a part of a countryclub!!! Ministry happens there too folks! BUT that is just not where He was calling us!!! I chuckle because at one point 5 years ago it was actually a struggle to what to do…but I’m so thankful we listened as it freed us up to do things in Africa which eventually led us to grow our FAMILY!!! We are forever changed by saying yes and being obedient in the little tiny things that we thought we needed to follow Him on!

Some times following is hard. Some times it is a complete leap of faith. And it ALWAYS involves listening.

Lots of listening.

In the quiet.

And learning to listen when it’s loud too.

When is the last time you just sat and listened?

That you spilled your heart to your Creator…and then you just sat–and listened?

At first you may hear nothing…like the egg that goes into the dye and comes right out to say, “Nope…nothing yet”…but as you sit and soak and wait…bit by bit…your heart will be transformed as you wait on Him. And your day will and eventually your LIFE will reap the beauty of listening to the One who created your life to be lived for His glory…more beautiful than you could ever plan it yourself.