Selective Hearing

12/12/08

Twinkie, Maysie! Come here NOW! A familiar phrase heard echoing through the woods here in Critter Patch. You see, my two Jack Russells tend to get hard of hearing at times. Yet, they can be no where in sight, and if I try to quietly open a pack of crackers, they pop out of the wood work and appear at my knee staring up at me with the largest most pleading eyes I've ever seen. They hear noises in the dark, which I'm certain don't even exist and then sound an alarm that brings me upright in bed, heart pounding. When I look at them and ask, "What!" they just blink their eyes and crawl back under the covers, leaving me to toss and turn trying desperately to find the dreamland I was so rudely startled out of. Funny thing about sleep, the harder you try to find it the more elusive it becomes.

Yes, my dogs have, what I like to call, selective hearing. I have noticed though, the closer they are to me the more readily they respond, even if I speak quietly, while the farther they get away from me the louder I must speak to get their attention. If they happen to position themselves outside of my line of sight, even if it's three feet away behind a bush, they suddenly seem to go completely deaf. I could scream at the top of my lungs (sometimes I do) and accomplish no more than a sore throat. I must literally walk outside in search of them, and as soon as they see me their hearing is miraculously restored. This phenomenon takes place not because they can't hear me, but simply because their focus has changed. They are no longer listening for my voice with a desire to please me. As they venture out away from me, tantalizing scents tempt their noses and interesting sights and sounds insist upon being investigated. Their love and devotion for me has been temporarily replaced by a strange infatuation and they blindly, dumbly, wander away with their ears closed to my pleadings. This is a dangerous move for them to make. Contrary to their belief I don't call them simply because I wish to rule over them and restrict their freedom and fun. I call them because I know, that lurking in the shadows are numerous predators that would love to have "Leg of Pooch" for dinner.

I wonder if I ever have selective hearing. If I am honest with myself, I must say yes. I know that when I stay close to God through prayer and study of His word, I am responsive to His, "still small voice." But the farther away from Him I wander, the more I focus on the cares and allurements of this world. He becomes harder to hear until finally, if I ignore Him long enough, I loose sight of Him and can longer hear His voice at all. It doesn't take me long to realize what a mistake I've made, for I usually get my self in a terrible mess in short order. I am so thankful that Jesus, my Sheppard, comes in search of me, finds me, digs me out of the hole I'm in and carries me back to safety. But what a lot of trouble, heartache and pain I could save us both if only I would stay close to Him and listen, instead of running away. Jesus says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." (John 10:27,28)

Just as my commands to my dogs are meant to protect them, I know that God's laws are not meant to restrict me and make me miserable they are meant to keep me safe and bring peace and happiness into my life. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil..." (Jer. 29:11)

I hope we can all recognize our need to stay tuned in to our Saviors voice, and say no to selective hearing.

God Bless you my friends,

Bonnie Morsette ~ 12/12/08