LISTENING TO GOD

I admit that even when God speaks to me clearly and persistently, I don’t always want to listen. What I hear is not always convenient, comfortable or easy. Sometimes it means that I have to get up and do something – such as, actually set my alarm a half hour earlier to make time for God’s Word and prayer. Or put aside my plans in order to help with the meal for the women’s shelter. Sometimes it means I have to change something about myself – that is, be more patient with my teenage sons or make that commitment to tithe faithfully.

Recently, I got a small idea of what it must be like, from God’s point of view, to watch us go our own way – no matter how clearly and lovingly He is telling us His best way.

Cinnamon is my sister Kathy's 2-year-old mix of wirehaired terrier and German pinscher – a mottled brown, spring-loaded ball of fur and skittering legs that shoot out the door every morning ready for action. When we’re staying at the cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cinnamon is always up first, ready for her morning trek. She’ll run a few laps around the cabin, then bound through the trees or down the gravel road toward the pasture to tease a few cows.

That’s why I thought it odd this past New Year’s morning that, when I let her out, all Cinnamon did was scratch and whine under the nose of my sister’s van.

When I did come out, ready for our walk, Cinnamon refused to leave her post. Squirrel? Mouse? Snake? Whatever it was, I thought, it would make its escape before Kathy drove home that evening. At breakfast, I commented on the dog’s odd behavior. Kathy agreed that Cinnamon probably cornered a critter and was just doing what dogs do. We got busy with the day’s plans and chores, not giving the dog’s continued vigilance much thought – that is, until . . . .

Well after dark, loaded up with three boys, two dogs, coolers and sleeping bags, Kathy’s van would not start. Just a sputter, then nothing. We lined up my van to the nose of hers, opened my hood, clicked on the jumper cables, opened her hood – and gasped. There, covering half the engine was an intricately constructed nest of green and dead leaves, sticks and straw. We squeamishly cleared it all away. That's when we noticed that the ignition cables had been chewed clear through. Kathy’s van did not make it home that night.

We may not know what nested and chewed under the hood, but we do know who had been trying to tell us all day that something important needed our attention and that we needed to DO something. We thought that Cinnamon, slumped on the seat waiting to leave, had a look that said, “You know, this did not NEED to happen.” How we regretted not taking time to listen!

How difficult it must be for God when we ignore Him. God promises that if we listen to Him, we shall live securely. I’m still learning that when God speaks to me – whether it’s through His Word, creation or another person – His intention is always for my ultimate good. How thankful I am that God never gives up on trying to get my attention!

— Barbara Appling

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist