He is Listening

I have said it before, but I'll say it again, my boys constantly amaze me. Sometimes I think what I say falls on deaf ears or at the very least uninterested ears. Yet, I have the promise from God's Word that it does not return void. So I persist in sharing my love for God with the boys and living out the grace that God has shared with me in His Son Jesus.

This week God showed me yet again, that the boys are starting to get it. Here is the proof:

My mother in law came to our house to discuss a need that someone in our family had. We were both expressing our frustration over what seemed like the futility of the subject. My mother in law said "What can I do?". A quiet voice spoke up and said "You could pray". Yes, Ephraim realized what we needed to do. It wasn't sit around talking about it or mulling over how impossible something seems. Instead we needed to bring it to the one who specializes in the impossible. He was listening.

Proof number two:

Yesterday the boys and I decided to go to the Kidscommons for Wacky Science. The draw of marshmallow and chocolate science drew us there even in the rain. As we pulled onto Washington Street I was anticipating finding the parking spaces full and dreading having to walk in the pouring down rain. Instead as we arrived in front of the Kidscommons there was a parking place right there. I exclaimed "yeah front row Joe, we found a spot". Carson followed up with "God provides". Yep that is where the credit was due. Some people would say a parking space has nothing to do with God's grace, but I believe and so did Carson that God knew we needed His undeserved favor on that pouring down day. He was listening.

They were both listening all the time. They were listening and thinking. They may not show it, but they are taking it all in. Not just what we have to say or have shown them, but also the people around them. The Christians who choose to live out their faith and serve as an example to those around them. I am thankful to God for the people He has put in our lives.

I have one more thing I want to share. Forgive my long post. This time I want to talk about how He is listening. Not Ephraim or Carson, but God the Father. God knows that in the last week or so that I have felt very defeated in a lot of ways. I have felt like for once, I wanted some one to care for me. I was really starting to feel sorry for myself. I finally went to Him in prayer and He was listening. Now, I know and Carson and Ephraim know I should have started with God not resorted to "finally" imploring Him. I prayed that God would help me reach out to someone else to include or care for them.

I got my answer to prayer in a phone call. And then after the phone call, God revealed to me that He cared for me. He brought to mind that His very own Son faced the same challenges of being the one to always care for others. He didn't see it as a burden though like I sometimes can. Instead when He was feeling overwhelmed He went to the One who cared for Him. He went to His Father God. When He had fed the 5,000 and had a full day, Jesus didn't slump into a heap and feel sorry for Himself. He didn't say "Look at what I have done" or "Why don't they appreciate me?". He went to His Father in prayer.

He did that for me. So that I could learn from His Word. No, I don't have a Messianic complex. I know that I am NOT the savior of those around me. But I am to be His hands and feet. My Father had a lesson for me. It appears I may not have been listening. I am listening now and I know that He hears my prayers. He is listening and answering too.