8/6/2025
"He who answers a matter before he hears it,
it is folly and shame to him."
Proverbs 18:13
There are two things that disturb me greatly - people who butt in before you finish talking and those who answer without hearing what was actually being said. Now I realize that there are times in our enthusiasm that we may blurt out a response before one is requested or required, but that should be guarded against with all diligence, because it is inconsiderate, and often, irritating. It makes the speaker feel as if his/her words are not important enough to be shared or heard, or it gives the feeling of "Hurry up and tell me, don't you know I have things to do!" Or that what he/she has to say is more important that what the speaker is desperately trying to share, often with great deliberation. I know that if someone interrupts my train of thought, I forget what I was saying, not because I am older, but I have been hit on my head more times than I'd like to remember. It takes a toll, and the effect is like a boxer who's been pounded so many times. We lose our train of thought easier from the distraction, and it can make one very angry.
Recently, I read the following in a devotional booklet:
"Patience and understanding are gifts from God that bring wisdom into your life. When you take the time to truly listen, you allow His peace and truth to guide your actions. Rushing to respond can lead to misunderstanding, but choosing silence and humility paves the way for compassion and clarity. Trust in God to help you pause, reflect, and act from a place of love and service." (60 Days of Prayer).
Jesus often spoke in parables when He taught, and although the crowds were generally well-attended and the people were listening intently, sometimes they did not understand. In Mark 4 after sharing the Parable of the Sower with the people, Jesus ended by saying, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Shortly after that sermon, the disciples and inner circle of believers and friends, when they were alone with Jesus, asked Him the meaning of the parable, as they often did:
"But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, 'To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.'" (Mark 4:10-12 and Jesus quoting from Isaiah 9:6:9-10)
In the verses that follow in explanation to their inquiry regarding the meaning of the parable, Jesus begins with these words: "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?" He responded more vigorously when Philip, one of the disciples, who had been with John the Baptist, asked Jesus to show them the Father. This happened before the Feast of Passover during the last supper. Jesus has washed their feet, identified His betrayer, given them the New Commandment, predicted Peter's denial, and told them, once more, about His death. Here's Jesus' response in John 14:7-10:
"'If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.' Philip said to Him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, "Show us the Father?" Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who swells in Me does the works.'"
The disciples had been with Jesus for three years, and He had taught them many things, yet they failed to understand, even up to His death. After His crucifixion, when He appeared to them, there was doubt. Thomas' doubted His resurrection until he saw the pierced hands and feet and put his hand into the wound on His side (John 20:24-29). After 40 days post-resurrection, as Jesus was ascending into glory, the disciples were standing there, "gazing steadfastly," as Jesus disappeared into the clouds. As the disciples stood there, an angel came and asked them what they were doing! (Acts 1:9-11). I can almost see them standing there gawking, probably with their mouths open, wondering "Where's He going? Is He coming back?" They still had some questions, until finally on the Day of Pentecost, they truly got a dose from Heaven as Jesus told them. Holy Spirit and power!
What happens to them is still happening today. We listen to the words Jesus said, and we accept them wholeheartedly, yet, although we have "seen" miracles and promises fulfilled and "heard with our ears" what He said, and we can probably quote it back if prompted to do so, still, although we have not received the message in our hearts, because we weren't really listening.
I could give you many examples of times in history or present day when, because someone was not paying attention, tragedy and untold horror have been the result, usually crimes against innocent children. Pay attention to what your children are saying, or not saying, for that matter. I often wonder what my children's lives would be like today had my children not called them liars. Sadly, only the Lord knows if I was too busy to "see." We all have our skeletons in the closet. I'm just more vocal. I don't care what someone else thinks of me, only my Savior. If something in my life helps someone, I will speak up. I thank God daily the I finally got out of that rabbit hole of lies and schemes of the devil. But, no one was listening.
One matter right now happening in California that will greatly harm our children and take away parental rights to protect them, goes for approval on the 19th of August in Sacramento. I have been posting on Facebook about Governor Gavin Newsom's bill, AB495, also referred to as the “Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025,” that seemingly was written to protect immigrants and provide safety and support, but tucked within the individual sections are laws that would do the opposite, but not just the immigrants, but for all children! So please listen, hear, and do something. I always post opportunities for action on my page.
Lord, give us ears to hear and hearts to understand!
"My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst
of your heart; for they are life to those who find them,
and health to all their flesh."
Proverbs 4:20-22
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