My college son texted: Have question. What’s good time to call?
My heart soared. Yeah, I get to talk to my son. Or should I say, listen.
Although we’ve had lengthy, meaningful phone calls, I knew this wasn’t one of those moments. He had an agenda.
When my son called, I listened. Answered his question. Sprinkled a word here or there to help him process his thoughts so he could make a sound decision. And then our final words before goodbye…
Mom: “Nice hearing from you. Everything’s fine here. Love you”
Son: “Great. Love you too!”
I’m not trying to pick on my son because if I’m pointing my finger, there’s three fingers pointing back at me.
Yesterday, I poured my tea and went to my quiet space, prepared to talk to the Lord.
I got straight to the point.
“God, I have a question. Should I do this? If so, how? What’s Your will? Because I really want to see this happen. Maybe you could give me a sign?”
I stopped short. I imagined God rolling his fatherly eyes at me. Waiting for me to pause for breath. What about my attitude going into prayer? No worship. No confession. No thanks.
Heaven forbid I treat my Lord like a…
- Ouija board as I search for answers.
- Genie in a bottle, there to grant my wishes.
- Cosmic Vending Machine
God didn’t tell us not to ask for things.
Philippines 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.”
However, I don’t want my quiet time with the Lord to be all about me. Spouting everything that’s brewing inside of me.
Never asking what He desires to see changed in me. Where He wants to lead me. What He wants to teach me.
Never listening.
God is Spirit and He’s patient, but I wouldn’t blame Him for sighing after I’ve hurried through my prayers and said, “Amen.”
I know the Lord desires our fellowship. Loves hearing our prayers. The same way I love listening to my son’s voice. However,I need to remember…
God speaks to us through His Word. Are we willing to listen?
Here’s what I did when I felt my quiet time was too one-sided:
- Stopped talking.
- Read a small portion of scripture.
- Focused on God’s character in that passage.
- Praised Him for those attributes.
- Asked for ears to hear His Word
- Allowed enough time to welcome and receive whatever God, the Holy Spirit wanted to reveal through scripture.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.…” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV)
After everything is said, what a blessing to know God loves us even when we talk His ear off.
Photo: JennyWredePhotography
Even In This 