His Still Small Voice

How do you hear G-d? Do you hear Him at all? Sometimes I wonder if I ever really "hear" him. Is that word a misnomer in this context? Can we truly listen to God with our ears? Samuel would say, "Yes, definitely!" (1 Samuel 3)

As would Saul (who later became the Apostle Paul), Mary, Joseph, and John. G-d spoke to each of them in unique ways. His Word came down and they heard it with their ears. Ironically, they weren't even necessarily waiting and listening when He spoke. G-d interrupted their daily lives and spoke loud and clear the message He wanted them to hear. They perked up.

My oldest kid, Eden (she's 4 1/2), came to me and my wife a few days ago and told us that Abba spoke to her. Our immediate response was, "Oh, Abba spoke to your 'heart'? That's great, sweetie!"

Eden interrupted unquestionably, "No, not my heart. He spoke to my ear."

Katie and I looked at each other with a look that could kill...faith...

Ashamed and embarrassed, we admitted to each other and G-d later, "Who are we to doubt G-d's voice?" Why not? Why couldn't Eden hear his voice with more than her heart? Thankfully, a 4 year old's face-reading abilities are not quite as sharp, and she went about her business after her matter-of-fact declaration.

Eden taught us a great lesson that day: Be ready to praise and recognize G-d's voice when it comes and to have the faith to say, "Speak Lord to our ears...not just our hearts!"

Close to Home

 Jesus gave a directive to his disciples, those who believe he is the Messiah, the anointed/promised one from Abba G-d. He said, "Go out and do as I have done...make disciples." He didn't say convince others. He didn't say get in a debate. And he didn't ask us to collect converts, persuading as many as we can that Jesus' message is the best News out there.

I realized this past week that I don't have to travel far to find my first disciples. I don't have to journey down a dirt road to Egypt like Philip did. I don't have to be arrested and sent before an emperor (in my case, president) like Paul did. All I have to do is wake up, put my pants on one leg at a time, flip the switch, and walk out into the living room. My first disciples will soon meet me. They are still dreaming.

My first disciples love it when I teach them, although, initially, they often squirm when they don't get what they want. My first disciples love to hear me say "well done". And they love to cuddle in my lap and snuggle while we pray. My first disciples love it when I kiss their boo boos and tell them that Abba even cares about their scrapes and bruises. My first disciples are like sponges.

This is when it hits close to home...they are hanging on every move, every word I speak, because that's what disciples do. They listen and watch...a lot. I am responsible to them. I am accountable to them. The heaviness of this truth met me full steam. It's an awesome thought.

My children taught me that every parent is a disciple-maker, whether they take on the responsibility or not. Parents either teach toward Abba G-d or they teach away from Him.

G-d, help me...help all of us parents...to be great disciple-makers to our children.