Daily Devotional October 20, 2020

Sunday morning, I got cleaned up, ate breakfast and was ready to go to the church.

I was very proud of myself because I had selected one of the new ties Shannon had bought.  It was a great match for my sports coat and slacks.  As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I realized it was hard to improve on perfection, but my tie selection had done it.

Sunday involved two wonderful worship services, a confirmation class, a nominations meeting and a funeral.  It was a long, good day, in which I didn’t have time to turn around twice.

In the early evening, when I was driving home from the funeral, I finally had a chance to call Shannon.  When she answered the phone, the first words out of her mouth were: “You never listen to me.”  I had to have her repeat what she said because I wasn’t really listening.

The second time she said I wasn’t listening, she explained that when she showed me the new ties, she had expressly said that one tie did not match the sports coat and slacks I was wearing on Sunday.  It was the tie I had worn that day to two worship services, a confirmation class, a nominations meeting, and a funeral.

Realizing I had to do something quick to save my marriage, I said, “I was listening decades ago when you said yes when I asked you to marry me.”  Shannon said, “That was the last time you listened.” Again, I had to have her repeat her response because I wasn’t really listening.

As frustrated as my patient wife may get with my inability to truly hear, it’s got to be even worse for God. 

I wonder how many times has God given me direction that I simply didn’t hear because I wasn’t listening?  I am certain numbers do not go that high.

So if you fall into my category, stop it.  You are better than that and your God expects more.

For those of you that do fall into my category, I hope you will pray with me the words of King David:  “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.  Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.”  (Psalm 25:4-5)

When I was a little boy, I can still remember my mother saying, “Clean out your ears.”

At the time I thought she meant something to do with hygiene, but I am beginning to think she meant something else.  I’ll think about it.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please open my ears, calm my mind, and let me hear you speak.  Forgive the times when I am so self-consumed, I only hear myself.  Help me hear.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

God is speaking.  Are you listening?

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins