Several months ago, I started reading the Bible with my sons….its been great. After a while my wife started to join us. Its been a time that God has honored over and over again.
Yesterday, I asked on of my sons if he had done something I asked him to do. He answered that he thought I said something else (so he really didn’t do what I asked). Now normally, I try to give him grace, assume the best etc. Last night, when he said this, it seemed he needed a strong rebuke, right in front of everyone else. I didn’t like doing it, but in this case, it turned out to be the right thing to do. I told him, “You must have NOT been listening, because I know what I said, and you understood it then”.
How was I to know that night we would read Mark 3:3-9. Its the parable of the sower, (you know the hard ground, the rocky ground and the thorns). Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. We talked about how the disciples went away, then later asked Jesus about it, so they could understand. So listening wasn’t just hearing, it was also considering, holding onto and reaching for the the opportunity to understand.
Right before the reading this, my son walked into my room and gave a really heartfelt apology; not after this reading but before. I was able to forgive him, hug him and tell him how much he meant to me, and remind him how important it was for him to listen. Then, when we read about the sower, that earlier conversation and forgiveness made the reading all the better. He understood. :)
Hebrews 11:6 is a verse that came up several times this week…in different settings:
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrew 11:6)
Do we believe that going to God will result in a reward, do we go earnestly, expectantly, hopefully?
Misty Edwards:Waiting for the rain
No comments:
Post a Comment