Listen (Week 21)

​​I take on a challenge every Monday and Wednesday mornings. This challenge is trying to entertain my toddler in the car rider line for at least 30 minutes.

In order to keep him entertained for that long I usually let him out of his car seat so he can roam around the car. He loves to roll the windows down and talk to the kids in the cars around us.

This particular Wednesday my son was extra rambunctious. I had to ask him not to put coins down the window, don’t climb over the seat, and at one point he wanted me to buckle him into his sister’s booster seat. I tried to redirect him and encouraged him to play with toys in the car.

He didn’t listen and took it upon himself to try to buckle himself into the booster seat. Just a few seconds later I heard what sounded like metal hitting glass. Sure enough he had let the seat belt buckle go and it slammed into the window, chipping it. In my anger, I told him, “If you would just listen, things wouldn’t get broken!”

As soon as those words came out of my mouth, I was reminded of all the times I have broken something because I didn’t listen. I specifically remember breaking my parents' trust when I was a teenager by going somewhere they had asked me not to go. As an adult I’ve lost friendships because we didn’t hear each other out. I hurt my husband when I don’t listen to him as we discuss important topics. I don’t think it's ever our intention to hurt others or break relationships. I think we just aren't listening.
 
The book of Proverbs is well known for talking about wisdom but it seems that listening is the key to gaining that wisdom. In Proverbs 1:5, we see Solomon saying, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning.” Just a few verses down in  verse 8, we see a father telling his son to listen to his instructions. In the very last chapter, Proverbs 31:2, we see King Lemuel tell his son “listen” three different times just in that one verse! For this word to be said so much in the book of Proverbs, it has to be important.
 
God is like these men we see above asking their family and friends to listen. The difference is God is asking us to listen. Jesus even tells us in Matthew 7:24 that when we listen to his Word, we will be like a man who built his house on a rock. We will not be easily shaken. We could avoid a lot of brokenness if we just turn to God and listen to him.
 
Friend, maybe you are going through something and are tempted to get advice from your friends, family members or even the internet. Instead, I urge you to turn to God, talk to him and listen. What does that look like? Maybe writing down your cares to Him or listening to worship music in a quiet room by yourself. For me, I sit down and pray that He will speak to me then I open my Bible in a quiet space and dive into His word.
 
Our lives will reflect what we listen to. Leaning in and listening to God will make our relationship with Him stronger. When our relationship with Him is strong, that strength flows into the rest of our lives— even out to our other relationships, that can be restored by hearing God’s wisdom.

Memory Verse: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 NIV

About the Author

​Hi! I’m Tara McGill. I am a wife to my amazing husband Jay. We live in the great state of Georgia where we raise our two children, Jayden (4) and Brooks (2). I enjoy spending quality time with my family and traveling. I am passionate about sharing Jesus and connecting women with other women who are also passionate about Jesus.

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