Friday, July 17, 2015

Are you listening?

We have been traveling recently in our home away from home.

Most of the time when we are traveling, instead of cooking breakfast we will stop and pick something up and keep on making the miles.
 
On our most recent trip we stopped at this place -
 
Hubby parks and I went inside to place a to go order. It wasn't a difficult order, but I found it interesting that the young man who waited on me was not listening. He heard me, and even repeated what I ordered, but he was not listening. 

So when my order arrives, I ask is one coffee decaf? "Oh you wanted a regular coffee too?" he says. Yes one regular and one decaf.  And then I ask, "is one oatmeal only with butter?" He looks at me, "you wanted one with only butter?" "Yes" I said.

So the young man goes back and fixes another oatmeal, and pours a regular coffee.

Now I've been to many fast food places in my time, and sometimes they don't always get my order right. But this young man heard what I said but was not listening. 

Is that what I do with God? Do I sometimes think I hear the voice of the Lord, but am I listening?

For two years I prayed fervently about a situation. Every day I implored with my Heavenly Father to intervene. In my prayers I felt confidant that the Lord would hear my prayers and answer the way I wanted.  But in the end, it was not so. I felt disappointed and discouraged. Why had God not answered my prayers? Doesn't the scripture say "seek and you shall find, ask and it will be given unto you?"

You see, this was someone that is very close to me. And I wanted so badly for this person's life to turn around and return to the obedience of God's will. Yet every time I questioned God about this outcome, I sensed Him saying, Do you trust Me? Yes, Lord I trust you. But see, this is someone close to me, and this person knows better. But do you trust Me? Lord, I do trust you, but ...  Do you trust ME?
 
Chuck Swindoll once said, " God does not greatly use the man who He does not first greatly wound." Do I feel wounded? Yes, hurt and wounded. But I do know that God is faithful, and I CAN TRUST HIM!
 
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for HE who promised IS faithful." Hebrews 10:23
 
 
 


7 comments:

janice15 said...

Nice post.. I often wonder myself but I know in my heart God will do the right things for me and who ever else is in need who turns to him.. Have a wonderful Sunday with love Janice

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Thought provoking and insightful - good counsel. Thank you.

It's a difficult challenge to let go of our own humanity sometimes.

As for the young person not listening - that's a whole 'nother post lol - blame it on nor having to listen to text I guess. Young people aren't looking us in the eyes anymore, either. Oh do you remember "Look at me, young lady, when I am talking to you?" I certainly do. LOL.

God's blessing to you and those whom you love dearly.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sylvia said...

Good post! I sometimes wonder if God hears me when I pray, but in my heart I do believe He does. We often want Him to answer us immediately but I must remember His timing is always right, be patient and wait on Him.

Leslie Anne Tarabella said...

Great post, and having teenagers in the house, I can totally relate to not being heard. This could be an entire chapter for a Sunday School lesson!

living from glory to glory said...

This is such a good analogy so many people are talking but do we really liste, I think we're all it to blame on that one I do hope the Lord will intervene answer your prayer one day Blessings hugs Roxy

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

:)
I hope you are having a nice trip!
warmly,
deb

Maiah Harrison said...

It's an inspirational post, thank you. Something to think about...