Okay, at my next physical exam I will have my hearing tested. I’ll be 61 next month, which is NOT old, but it certainly is older than 30. I don’t want to be like two very wonderful and Godly men I have known that couldn’t hear well, but did not want to do anything about it. I am sure they had their reasons, but at the same time they were missing out on hearing some lovely aspects of our world. Whenever possible I want to wake to hear the birds singing, or tune into the highest and lowest notes of a choral rendition. This is especially true if it is my grandchildren are singing!
I find myself turning the volume up on the radio and yet the music students listen to is WAY too loud for me. (a certain sign that you are old – adolescents’ music is too loud! I remember my parents saying that about Peter, Paul, and Mary). Paradoxically, I will hear comments and words my high school students say and when I call them to account, their common response is – “I didn’t think you could hear me.” So, my hearing is not totally deficient – yet.
God uses the term “hearing” to describe the ability of His children to understand what He wants to communicate with us.
Matthew 13:14-16
14 In them (meaning those who are hard of hearing) is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
Jesus is talking to His disciples about the need for spiritual eyes, ears, and hearts that are open to Jesus’ teaching. Just as our ears can become “hard of hearing” physically, our spiritual ears can become “hard of hearing” in regards to what our Heavenly Father wants to say to us. Our children often display “selective hearing” in response to our direction or correction in their lives – so do we.
To be honest, I sometimes practice “selective hearing” with my Heavenly Father. When I hear Him say something I feel positive about – I am quick to obey. If I am less pleased with His direction, I may be slow to respond – maybe even act as though I didn’t hear anything to start with.
Our children do this as well. When we encourage them to listen and obey quickly, we are preparing them to listen to and respond to their Heavenly Father. I want to be a mother, friend, and grandmother who has excellent hearing spiritually. Then I can be an example to those I love, and, like verse 16 says – be blessed by my Heavenly Father.
Our Father's Daughters 
You will make 61 year old women – everywhere – completely jealous – beautiful friend.
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