One of the hardest things about parenting is teaching a child to listen. First time parents are usually learning that fact when their perfect little baby hits two. Suddenly, a parent is confronted with “No!” and “MeDo!” and “Mine!” and other such defiance.
(This phase usually reappears when our children become teenagers. The defiance is much like that of a two-year-old, but their vocabulary has improved.)
I remember getting ready to go somewhere and sitting my children down. I’d begin by making them look at me, and I would tell them how I expected them to behave where we were going, and what would happen if they chose not to act appropriately. Then I would have them repeat their understanding of what I just said. Sometimes it worked; other times it didn’t.
I knew I needed to instill in them the ability to listen – as well as an understanding of accountability. Actions (good or bad) have consequences.
I think if we could sit down with our Father God, He would confirm that one of the hardest things for His children to learn is listening. How often we have that two-year-old attitude before our God. We must learn to hear His Voice. We must learn to “Tune” our ears to His commands. God’s ways and will must be our treasure.
“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.” [Proverbs 2:1-4 NLT]
