Listen Now, Hear Me Later

Back in the day of being a substitute teacher, getting the attention of a class of fifth graders fresh from recess was tough. As they rustled around loudly my voice was lost in the surrounding chaos until finally I lost my cool and slammed a stack of books down onto a desk surprising even myself. 

Saying things over and over makes my head spin and yelling makes it hurt, so wielding a wooden spoon became my go-to attention getter around the house. In public I never wanted to scream out a child’s name so they became accustomed to my whistle. If I whistled, they knew I wanted their attention and they would turn to me before they could help themselves. 

I’m not sure I remember what got my attention as a child, but in my adult life I can tell you that it can take a hard lesson to get through my thick skull. I hate that about myself, and I’m not sure why it has to be that way. Having to struggle and make things difficult just seems to be my modus operandi. 

These days I’m working hard at changing that. 

What happens when the yelling stops, the effort of picking myself up is too much, graveling and apologizing is exhausted? Will I listen? Will there be anything left to hear? 

My daughter is a teacher and she uses a tactic that is surprisingly simple and works amazingly well-a whisper. 

A whisper makes one focus so they can hear. It makes you lean in so you can understand. A whisper soothes and calms. 

I’d rather whisper these days as the effort to gather air and push out words with umph is tiresome...which makes me wonder if older men really become hard of hearing or their wives just become hard of speaking…

I was praying this morning and I asked God to speak clearly, to please let them hear Him. “Please God, this time can they please hear You without a major catastrophe or event? This time...please let them hear You whisper.” 

As my out-loud prayer became a whisper and my ears heard the ringing of silence, I could feel the peace pour over me and His comfort filled my soul. MY God answers prayer. He hears me even when I whisper. 

John 13: 13-14

Being ignored is very frustrating and disrespectful. Focus is required to listen. I don’t like being yelled at, over the years I’ve either tuned it out or become defensive upon having a loud voice reverberate in my ears. 

How do we get the focus of someone’s attention in a way that they really hear us? Does it always have to be a dramatic gesture? A loud noise? Can it just be a whisper? 

Hear me now, things are shaking...if you can’t feel them then stop and listen. If you wait until later it may be too late. 

Today I’m hitting my knees on purpose because I see the walls coming down. Don’t keep checking your watch because the time to listen is NOW. Don’t just hear, listen. I promise you don’t want to ignore the rumblings and wait for the thunder this time because shelter may be gone and the worst is yet to come. I’m hunkering down already. 

God I ask you to tear down the walls. Give clarity to those who are wandering aimlessly and speak to them with a voice that they hear. Open their eyes, mind, ears, heart and soul so they can really listen. Help them to hear you clearly Lord. 

I know time is running out.