Are We Listening?

Have you ever had a conversation with someone, pouring out your feelings only to realize shortly thereafter that the person heard you, but they truly were not listening?? Their response quickly alerted you to the fact that they heard something completely different. In my mind I see gremlings snatching words, turning them around, replacing periods with exclamation points!!! It amazes me to no end. If I tell my kids the house better be "straight" when I get home from work, one child may hear, " My room needs to be clean." Another child may hear, " The kitchen needs to be tidy." Yet, another my hear " The entire house needs to be immaculate". Still amazes me!!



It is so important for us to hear the words the Lord speaks to us. But we are often distracted and though we hear, many times we are not listening. The child may not receive complete instructions if he is engaged in texting, watching TV, and chatting on FB all at the same time. Your spouse may not clearly get the message if he is being a side line coach for the Redskins Sunday night and thinking endlessly about a project due on Monday morning. Your best friend may not hear your loving advise if she is sunken in a state of depression concerned about the state of her marriage.



But, the Lord offers us an umbrella to shield and protect us from these storms. When we pray and give our problems to God, and then take then back as we leave the alter, our hearts and minds remain heavy.

As a result, we attempt to drown out life with "white noises" :

*Constantly texting

*Always in conversation with something or someone

*TV is always on*

*Music is always playing

*Bad relationship to bad relationship

*Drugs and alcohol

*Illicit sex

*Overeating



Some of our actions block the voice of the Spirit. Why not truly let go and Let God? God is truly trying to tell us something! Wouldn't it be wonderful to clear our minds and truly listen so that we can act upon His direction for our lives.

What Foundation is Sustaining Your Life?

Matthew 7:24-27 (New International Version)
The Wise and Foolish Builders 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

So often life brings thunder storms and showers in our lives. Many times we can see the skies in our lives darkening, while the storm clouds briskly race through our lives. Our storms may be the daughter who insists on making making bad relationship decisions that constantly affect her ability to focus on school. The storms may bring a deep cloud when it seems we are attending more and more Homegoing services for our loved ones. So, often many of us awaken to sunshine trying to peek through the clouds, but we become affixed still on the cloud, not on the sunshine. The clouds of anxiety, depression , separation, alcoholism, sexism, control. This list can be massive.

But God is greater than all of this!!!! I wrote those words on sticky notes 15 years ago. I placed the notes on my dresser mirror, in the bathroom, behind the door..(get the picture ). I had to remind myself of this when life's winds became unbearable. Now, those words are stitched to my heart. And I encourage people with those simple yet powerful words.

When our foundations of Faith, Hope, Love is built on Jesus Christ, we allow Him to be greater than live's storms. He will provide us with shelter and protection, if we allow Him.

God cares...do you?

God Cares

Lyrics

Sometimes I cry but why

When I have someone so near

Who cares for me

Sometimes I doubt The things I don't understand

That's when He comes and holds my hand

(Chorus) God cares all about you

And He'll be there to see you through

And when no one will comfort you He'll care about you

God cares all about you

And He'll be there when you're feeling blue

And When your life has broken you He'll care about you

This happens to be the lyrics to one of my all time favorite songs, God Cares. When things are all crazy around me and I feel as if I am invisible in plain sight, I often go to the basement to my sewing room where is it quiet. I put on this CD and on occasion hit the repeat button and work to the rhythm of that song. Things come into perspective for me.

John 3:16 (New International Version)
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 reminds me so much of what the Lord did because he cared for us. The scripture reads "He GAVE....." For me, this means love is an action. And our actions show the world what we truly care about.

Life can take us places we don't need to go and keep us longer than we need to stay. We have to make time to spend with the Lord and pray without ceasing. I am learning to keep my mind and body clear of things that are not God's will. We must consider how our lives reflect God's will.

Some questions to ask ourselves.....

Do we notice people around us who are in pain?

Do we stop and listen sometimes after asking , "How are you doing?"

Do we notice disabled shoppers in the grocery stores or retail stores?

When we notice a church member missing for weeks , do we reach out and call?

Sometimes, it is the little things...

*A smile

*A hug

*A compliment

*A phone call

Just think about it.....Someone you know has not been touched or has not heard a caring voice this week....

I remember a friend sharing with me that a lady joined the church she attends. This lady had 4 little girls. The lady didn't appear to have a lot of worldly prossession and she seemed oblivious to many who were around her. The lady attended church week and week with your daughters. One Sunday, my friends eyes caught the stare of the one of the little girls. She said the little girls looked as if she was saying to the church, " You all have to know! Can you see how we are dragging in here each week needing , desiring, and wanting the fellowship , love and help of God's people?" I never met this family, but I often think about that little girls sad eyes.

My friend decided to visit the lady and her girls and extended a hand to help as well as to get the mother in contact with services that could assist them. The mother was seamstress and was given the opportunity to begin a home business through a grant offerred through the city in which she lived! All of this from a simple act of caring.

Let's all make a committment to share a part of ourselves to show someone in need that we really. A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle ~Proverb quote

The next time we ask someone, "How are you?" Let's stop and take the time to listen and show someone that you care about what is going on in their lives. It's a small step that will lead to a