“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.”
(John 3:16)
You can’t fool her, you know.
Two pudgy hands cup your cheeks to turn your face, demanding your eyes look deep into her own.
“Mama, you’re not listening!” You can almost feel her heart stomping its tiny imaginary foot to accentuate the point.
Of course, you’re right when you insist, “Yes I am, honey, I can just do two things at once.” You did hear her, after all.
But she’s right (more right?) because you weren’t listening.
Hearing requires only ears. Listening demands ears, eyes, mind, and maybe most important, heart.
The difference matters. A lot. Here’s why:
Your children don’t just notice the difference between hearing and listening, they understand the difference:
Something else is more important than them in that moment.
O u c h!
This isn’t confined to children; don’t we all hate it when we know someone is only half engaged in conversation? Present in body but absent in thought?
I grow weary from all the admonitions to focus on Christ during the Christmas season, to resist holiday busyness. Please don’t get me wrong — I agree — but then I see a believing people tangled and lifeless in sticky-webs of shopping, baking, parties, and school or church programs.
We are distracted.
Everyone is working extra hard to pay for All The Things.
And though our homes have never looked more lovely or smelled more delicious . . .
Our actions are speaking loudly, and they don’t always match up to our words.
Can I get an “Amen!”?
Please . Promise:
if you’ll follow this friendly advice this Christmas season,
you’ll be giving and receiving something precious.