John 8:43"Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say."
Children have an uncanny ability to hear selectively.
"Daniel, time to start your homework," I call to my son from the kitchen. He is in our living room engrossed in building with his Legos.
No answer.
One minute. Two minutes.
"Daniel! Didn't you hear me?"
"Hear what, Mom?"
"Time for homework. You can play when it's finished."
"Okay!"
One minute. Two minutes. Still, no Daniel.
"Daniel!" I shout this time. "Get in this kitchen right now!"
I mean business. He knows it.
In he trots and stops in front of me, an angelic smile on his face.
"Did you need me, Mom?"
"Of course, I do. I need you to do your homework. Now!"
"I thought you said I could do it when I'm finished playing?"
"No, that's not what I said. Didn't you hear me?"
"I heard you, Mom. Guess I just didn't understand."
*
Ten minutes pass. Daniel is busily and intently working on math problems at the kitchen table.
The phone rings from its built-in shelf in our tiny hallway. I hastily wipe my soapy, dishwater hands on a towel and sprint to answer it.
"Hello? Oh, hi, Mom!"
My mother calls to get some gift ideas for Christmas. My voice sinks to a low, almost inaudible whisper as I share my thoughts as to what Daniel and daughter, Sarah, might like.
I don't want him to hear . . .
"Mom!"
Startled, I drop the receiver, clattering, to the floor.
"Tell Nana I want the Lego Pirate ship for Christmas. Thanks!"
~
When you read scripture, are you hearing only what you want to hear, or are you seeking for true understanding?
Will you pray with me?
When we read Your Word, Father, let us hear Your voice speaking to us, cutting through all our preconceived notions and half-truths. Grant us the grace to listen and understand with open and humble hearts. Thank you for never listening selectively to our prayers, but embracing and hearing them all. Amen.
Readings
Psalms 88 or 91, 92
Genesis 27:46-28:4, 10-22
Romans 13:1-14
John 8:33-47
Lol kids and adults have an uncanny way of being selective in their hearing!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you here as always, Savira!
DeleteOh, yes, I agree, adults can be just as selective as the kids when they want to be! :)
Blessings and have a great weekend!
Good Morning Martha,
ReplyDeleteI love that we all have the Spirit and no need for men to teach us, so that when we read the truth finds a home in our hearts. If we're in denial about something life will produce just the right circumstances to cause us to see the light.
Nice post!
Hugs,
Leah
Thanks, Leah, for stopping by today!
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed the post. I do believe that if we seek God's truth earnestly through His word, we can't help but be guided in the right ways.
Blessings to you!
Not only children, but many adults also have that selective hearing down pat!
ReplyDeletehttp://scatteredmusings.net/2012/02/this-moment-friday-ritual-1-10/
Hi, Debbie, thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYes. Yes, they do!
I will be sure to check out your moment!
Blessings!
I should have added that, yes when I am reading scripture I want to truly understand.When I don't I dig in my other little help books. Sometimes I'll leave a little book mark and go back, which often helps me finally understand. There are times where I've just read and took with me what was obvious, but I always reread things I don't understand.
DeleteHello again, Debbie!
DeleteIn doing these devotions, I have to read passages again and again. It never ceases to amaze me how I can read the same scripture and see something new each time. And, yes, there are some verses I don't quite get at first and need to ruminate over or research.
Thanks for stopping by twice!
Oh, and loved your moment today!
Blessings!
Selective hearing....my hubby and kids have it all the time. Do I have a hard time repeating!
ReplyDeleteOh, it's no fun having to repeat things! Seems this runs in a lot of families. :)
DeleteBlessings to you, Janu, and thanks for dropping by!
I think we all at one point or the other do hear only what we want to. I keep having that problem with my son, Ron too and it can be very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteYes, Rimly, it can be so frustrating. In one ear and out the other . . .
DeleteAnd, you're right - sometimes we so want to hear something that we are not truly listening to what someone is saying.
Blessings to you!
LOL...sorry Martha but this story did make me giggle. That sounds so familiar :)They only hear what they want to hear.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm glad this entertained you, Nelieta! It's never funny when it's actually happening, but looking back on it makes me laugh, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for dropping in!
Blessings to you!
I hear what it is saying only i believe it pertains to others not me..I pray but I don't believe he hears me...As always...XOXOXOXOXO
ReplyDeleteSometimes, and I did for many years, we believe He doesn't hear us. He does. Why He doesn't answer right away is the mystery . . .
DeleteThank you, Bonnie for stopping in today!
Blessings!
Hello Martha.
ReplyDeleteI know it's not funny, but I'm laughing as I type this, because my wife is always telling me I have selective hearing, meaning I only hear what I want to hear when I want to hear it...drives her crazy too!
I love to read the Bible because I know the words were written by men who were under the Almighty's holy spirit and therefore wrote verbatim.
As always, thanks for sharing.
Hi, Andy, and thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteLOL! Do you? From the responses I've gotten here, it seems selective hearing is not just for children. :)
Glad you got a laugh out of it!
Blessings to you!
Hmmm... where listening is involved, obedience also comes to mind ;)(ob-audire).
ReplyDeleteOh, whenever my niece does this to me, I'd ask immediately if she understood what I just said :P. And when I do this to my mom, she'd ask if I cleaned my ears LOL...Well, with God...He never tires of saying the same things over and all I have to do is keep still and feel His great love.
I pray with you...may our ears be wide open to God's Good News everyday :)
Melissa, I love your comparison of hearing to obedience! And, it is so wonderful that God never tires of telling us over and over what He expects. His patience and love are infinite!
DeleteBlessings to you and thanks so much for your comment today!