Ears that Hear

By Shirley Allen
Former Oregon Conference Children's Ministries Director

Ears that hear and eyes that see-the Lord has made them both. Proverbs 20:12

I have read that attentiveness is listening with our ears and watching with our eyes. I noticed recently that my son and daughter-in-law have the habit of saying something to my granddaughter and if she is not looking at them or paying attention they will point at their eyes and then point at her eyes to make sure she is not only listening but looking as well. That way she actually hears.

I still remember the incident. I was making a meal, stirring something in a pot on the stove. My youngest son, still a toddler wanted to tell me something. I had my back turned to him. He tugged and tugged on my clothes until I turned around, picked him up, and he could look me in the eye. He knew then that he had my undivided attention. Then he said what he wanted to say and was happy to be put down on the floor again

I learned a lesson from him that day. God would love our undivided attention. I am too distracted, too busy multi-tasking that I miss so much that God is trying to tell me, so much of what he is showing me.

Lord, please help me to have ears that hear your voice, and eyes that see you at work in people, in nature and in your Word today.

While we are teaching our children about attentiveness, it’s a great reminder for us to do the same.