The kids weren't listening at all. Wouldn't even turn my way when I said their name. Acted like I was just the voice in the Charlie Brown cartoons that went "blah, blah, blah".
Kids ignoring me, I'm used to. It's expected. With two, 2 year olds and one 3 year old and on Saturdays, a 5 year old besides, this is a common factor. Kids don't listen.
My straw didn't come with the kids during the day. It came with my husband.
I'm sure the fault was on my end. I'm sure I did the whole woman thing. You know, give a big hint with a huge sigh to make sure he got what I was trying to say. . . or maybe I spoke in the same volume that I use when I walk around talking to myself about all that needs to be done. More than likely, my hubby just wrote it off as I was talking to myself and not to him. Whatever the case, although I can't remember the exact scenario, I remember walking back into the dining room and seeing the opposite of what I asked, taking place with my husband asking, "Why didn't you want me to. . . ?"
At that, I threw up my hands and said, "I did want you to. . . ! Gosh darn it! No one freaking listens to a word I say around here. I might as well go have a conversation with the inside of the fridge!" (I can get a little sarcastic when frustrated. :-/ *blush*
The Holy Spirit does it again! Because in that moment I heard quietly, "No one listens to me either. . . "
In those moments, God pointed out to me that He is often trying to grab my attention and I just continue on, never hearing His voice. How often has He tried to give me a gift but I am so busy with my to-do list and agenda, I don't even see it? How often has He tried to speak words of comfort to my heart but I'm too consumed in my self pity to pay attention. How often has He tried to direct my paths but I'm too dead set on my way to heed His way?
While I have finally, after all these years, developed a daily quiet time, so many mornings I read the Word and then, never even realize what I read. I've been too busy thinking of all that I need to get done as soon as my quiet time is over.
I pray all day long. Learning how to pray constantly isn't an issue for me. What is an issue, is that I rarely take the time to stop and listen to anything God wants to say back to me. I have time to voice my concerns but I don't have time to stop and be still and hear Him.
Who knew that a mom's frustration could lead to a better understanding of what our Father may feel? Since that day, I've been listening a bit better to His voice, though I still have a ways to go.
Now, I'm just waiting for the kiddos to do the same. ;)
Once a week, those who want to share a particular lesson or incident that took place in their Hidden Valley of being a stay-at-home-Mama, can do so through this meme. It may be something God taught you, a moment of letting your kids play in the mud as you realize a little dirt doesn't hurt anybody, or a video that stuck a chord in your soul. Whatever it is, if it touched you, share it with us!
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