Listening

 I believe with my whole heart, that God desires to speak to us.
Sometimes though… we clog our ears. Maybe intentionally, maybe not.
Our ears may become clogged by things or stuff. Stuff that we want. Stuff that we think we need. Stuff that may be primarily good, but if it comes in-between us and our relationship with the Lord, it’s not good any longer.
So no matter how much we say, “Oh, we want to hear from God!” Until that heart is in the right place where you are willing to let go of  stuff,  it may be the ‘cotton in your ears’.
Maybe we say, “Oh, I want God’s will or I want to hear God” but you rarely open His word. Or you read a quick verse and call it good? The Bible says daily, we are to take up our cross. Daily, we are to put on the WHOLE armor of God. Not just the breastplate. Because when going to battle, the breastplate is good, but you have no shield! And a shield is good, but what about your sword?? And so on…

 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.  Stand, therefore,
and your feet sandaled with readiness with truth like a belt around your waist,righteousness like armor on your chest, for the gospel of peace.  In every situation take the shield of faith,  and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,  which is God’s word.

I say all this on personal experience. I have been the one saying for a long time, I want to hear from God… and I did and DO, but I clogged my own ears.
                                    With stuff.
                                          Desires for my life.
                                                     Dreams of things.

I think as parents we have to look at our lives right now. If our children are with us at home… then THAT is our job. THAT is our mission. They are the greatest mission we can invest in. If I am neglecting their upbringing… what a fool I am.
                                           Nothing in this world!
                                                                     NOTHING!!!
No matter how much money or luxury items or ME time or hobbies or jobs can compare to the brief amount of time God has given us with our kids and in that time we are to point their hearts to our Great GOD!
He gave them to us. Teach em! Train em! Help guard their hearts! Don’t let them out to be devoured up by the wolves and say, “Well, I hope you learned your lesson!” There is a time to let go… don’t do it prematurely.
If they are young, please take that time with them to Walk beside them. To show them. To work with them. To play with them. To speak words of encouragement and affirmation to them.

Keep them close. If you see a rebellious spirit, help them learn to fight that early on. Don’t just allow it to grow inside them. Help them see that The Lord is our help and strength, again… another reason to put on the FULL armor of God!

I say all these things because they are things the Lord is dealing with me and speaking to unclogged ears finally. I am so grateful for the awakening He has given me and the time He is allowing me to go forward and cherish every single moment with my precious children!
No matter what their age, let’s make it count!!!