Listen!
Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper. – Jeremiah 7:23
My eldest daughter, who is not yet three, is a strong-willed child. I tell her not to stand on her chair and she’ll still do it. I warn her not to jump because she might hurt herself but she’ll jump anyway. When I tell her not to hit her baby sister, she’ll continue to whack her.
Consequently, she’s had minor accidents and have gotten bruises and bumps. She’s also inflicted the same on her little sister.
If only she’d listened, she’d spare herself — and others — from a lot of trouble. Every time she’s up to no good, I’d remind her, “Listen to Mama!” And almost simultaneously I feel like the Lord echoes my rebuke back to me. “Listen to Abba! Listen to Your Heavenly Father. Do not disobey. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble.”
When I was a baby Christian, I thought that all the restrictions in the Bible were meant to discipline me and give me a hard time so I can earn my place in heaven. But now I’ve learned that God’s commands are all for my good, because He knows better and wants to spare me from unnecessary suffering. Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)
REFLECTION:
Do you listen to your Father?
Lord, I’m sorry for the times I’ve been hardheaded. Grant me the gift of obedience so that I don’t just listen to You but follow You as well.
St. Louise de Marillac, pray for us.
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