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Can You Hear Me Now?

Yesterday was not my best... not a great... kind of a bad day. I know it was partly my fault. But we all have "those" days. The whole day wasn't awful. I had a great lunch with my daughter and a sweet friend for her birthday. It all just seemed to go downhill after that.

Here is the deal: My work load is almost overwhelming right now. My best friend is moving out of state. I have some family issues that are challenging at best. My mom had some medical procedures last week. My husband had a major surgery.

It could be so much worse. Most days I know I am blessed. I am blessed I have a job. I am blessed to have a good friend who will stay my friend despite location. My mom is doing well. My husband is recovering nicely. And God's grace is sufficient. 

So why the meltdown yesterday? I wasn't being heard. I tried to have one conversation and the person on the other end was talking to someone else.. I didn't feel heard. Then I tried to have another conversation with someone who answered their ringing cell phone in the middle of my sentence... I felt less important than that phone call. I wasn't being heard. 

I do not write all of this to have a pity party. Indeed, I probably need to confess my selfishness and move on. I write this because God smacked me in the face with it this morning.

"This is what you do to me. You allow other things to interrupt your time with Me and you don't hear Me. You talk to other people about the things going on in your life before you talk to Me and you don't hear Me. I want to be heard too."

Ouch! How many days do I neglect God? Does He feel like I felt yesterday when I don't show up? I think in a way He does. I think He feels the same hurt and disappointment that I feel when I am more preoccupied with other things. But no matter how badly I treat Him - He is ALWAYS there for me.

1 John 5:14 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, HE HEARS US." In Psalm 46:10 He tells us to "Be still" and know that He is God... In order to do that we have to listen. We talk to Him - He listens. We listen - and He talks back. Every. Time. No distractions. No interruptions. I always have His undivided attention (I have no idea how that works with 6 billion people on the planet - but that's why He's God). 

Scripture after scripture tells me He loves me, He delights in me, He sings over me.. and on and on. How can I not reciprocate?

Yesterday was a bad day. But I love when He takes those days and turns them into lessons. With His help, I intend to learn this one well. 

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