Being Good Listeners

So for a three year old listening can be a really challenging task. They can speak in sentences and add inflection and slang, mimicking others they like, but physically they really cannot understand direction or explanation when there is more than 5-7 words used as at time. They start to tune you out and get lost in all those words.

This Lent my husband and I are trying extra hard to use short and more meaningful direction. And the three year old is being reminded of her listening needs as well. Together the goal is to encourage greater understanding and respect for one another and God. We sit and read from the Children's Bible so that she can understand the importance of listening to the Word of God as well as Mommy and Daddy's words.

But sometimes we aren't very good listeners either. Today, on the way to my littlest one's routine check-up we passed an accident that was being attended by firefighters, rescue personnel, and police. Everyone seemed to be physically well, but there was a small child involved. The ironic part was that this was the same exact spot that my family was in a similar accident one and half years ago. Exact spot!

I was pregnant for the little one at the time and it is only through the Grace of God that I held on to him. The car was totalled. Our oldest was shaken and had nightmares for awhile. After spending an evening in the emergency room of our local hospital, we all emerged bruised and sore, but very grateful to have each other. Seeing all those people today, going through the same anxiety, as we were driving our healthy children to the doctor for a routine check-up, I began to get the feeling that God was trying to tell me in no uncertain terms that I was blessed. To trust in Him and pray for those in this accident.

It can be so hard to hear God through all the everyday noise. When are we good listeners?