Listen to His Heart

I got into a fight with my husband. I overspent. Again.

It's the same fight we've been having for the past couple of months where we can't seem to get on the same page. He feels I overspend in the grocery portion of our budget, but I think we can rearrange a few line items because, let's face it, the family has to eat. He feels I don't respect the amount we've discussed, but I think an extra $10-$15 isn't that big of a deal. 

He beings to go over the grocery receipt as I stew in disbelief. "I don't understand why we have to have this conversation over and over again," he says. "You are not a child where I have to constantly repeat myself. How many times will it take before you listen."

As my husband's words rattle his tongue with frustration while his eyes are gently begging me to understand, it hits me. 

I do the same thing to God. 

He has the same conversation over and over with us, yet we do not see it nor understand it. He forgives us over and over again but we do it anyway. He talks to us once, then twice, then three times and so on. He gently nudges, other times more forcefully, "Wake up, daughter! Enough is enough. Will you please listen?" 

Have you been in a place where discouragement or failure has broken your spirit from getting back up and trying again? Or fear robbed you of even getting started and trying in the first place? You hear God but you're not entirely listening, you're waiting for a firework sign. Other times you clearly hear the words plain as day but choose the same comfortable path as before knowing it's not right yet thinking I'll get back to God later, it's not that big of a deal.

Now is the time to make the choice to wake up! Today is the day you stop allowing fear, insecurities, past circumstances or failures hold you back from living the life you were created to live. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Sometimes we settle for just enough ignoring any indication that God even speaks to us, over and over again. We only want the good parts - in marriage, parenting, work, school, church, friendships, life - yet the rugged pieces that make up our stories is what shapes our weathered trail. And God wants to be a part of that. Listen to his heart. Look up and see his outstretched hands and eyes gently begging you to hear him.

He will continue to repeat himself, but let today be the day he doesn't have to.