Listen and obey

Each week my prayer book has a theme. This week's is "Listening and Obeying." Oh good, I thought, this will be good for Audrey and Emma!

Well, actually, it's good for me. 

How often do I do that? Hear something, read something, and think, So and so really needs to hear that? When the truth is that I'm the one who needs to hear it?

Today's reading included James 1:19-27. I don't know about you, but James makes me a little bit uncomfortable. He's not worried about hurting my feelings, offending his readers, or coming on too strong. Nope, James says it like it is. Something I really do like and appreciate, but something that makes me cringe a bit too.

Anyway, what struck me today was this:

Everyone should be 

quick to listen,

slow to speak, and

slow to become angry...

(Something that has obviously struck me before, because it's already underlined in my Bible and has some notes written next to it.)

With Audrey and Emma on my mind, what struck me was this: Am I quick to listen to them? Am I slow to speak when they're telling me something? Am I slow to be become angry?

As much as I want them to do what this verse says, am I modeling what it looks like to them? Do they know what this looks like because they've seen me do it?

So I'm praying this morning for God to help me with this. To help me remember "quick, slow, slow" as I go through my day.

Of course, the passage goes on to say a lot more that I need to hear. But that's for another day...

Comments

[amber]

Thanks for this post. Exactly what I feel like the Lord is speaking to me about. I just read the book of James again the other night...I agree...he makes me squirm in my seat. Love what you had to say about modeling the "quick, slow, slow" for your children. I'm going to be thinking about that as I go through my day today.

[Jen at I should be cleaning...]

I am right there with you!

[Angela]

I'm going to study this a little further. I don't know that I'm having trouble with "being slow..." because it's summer or I'm just impatient. Thanks for giving me what I need.

[Mary]

This was a post that I very much needed to read. How often do I expect better bahavior from my son than I actually practice myself? Too often I'm afraid. Thanks for the reminder. I think I need to memorize that verse...

[Linda]

I loved this post Joanne. I think that is one of the major themes the Lord continues to speak to my heart. I'm a bit of a slow learner - so we seem to have to go over things repeatedly! Thank you for this sweet reminder.

[miss chris]

quick, slow, slow... I need to remember this as well... xoxo