Listening Isn't Easy

Many times, the noise of life (around us and self-created) can dull our hearing and make us deaf to the sounds that really should matter. You ever been driving while the music in your car is turned up. You're paying attention to the road, and thinking about the numerous things you have to address at some point in your day. Then out of the blue you realize that a police car, ambulance or a fire truck is right behind you--blaring horns, wildly flashing lights. And it's trying to get in front of you. Then you notice all the cars around you have slowed or pulled off to the side, and you're the hindrance. Hmmm....a little shame, yeah?

Today I was walking back to work from doing some errands at lunch and listening to Mary J. Blige's new song, 'I Am.' I'm hearing the chorus, and feeling the beat--'Mary has a hit,' is what I'm thinking to myself. I hear the words and think of people in my life that I could probably sing this song to. The words go like.."Ain't nobody gonna treat you better. Ain't nobody gonna touch you better. An't nobody gonna love you better, Boy, than I am, than I am" And I'm thinking to myself--'that's right, Laine. Anyone would be a straight fool to leave you!'. As I continue to talk to myself and move to the song, the words take root--and instead, it begins to resonate in my spirit. Instead of just hearin the beat, the melody and the chorus, I listen with my heart to the words. Then I instantly feel the Holy Spirit speak through these words..."When you're far away and I'm not around. And temptation fills your heart. Think of all the ways that I'm faithful, babe. And to replace me would be hard, 'cause there's nobody. Ain't nobody gonna treat you better. Ain't nobody gonna touch you better. Ain't nobody gonna love you better. Boy, than I am, than I am." I start to cry, because I know that God's faithfulness is to continually woo me back to Him. Only Love would do that.

Have you ever been in a situation with people in your lives, where you take their presence for granted. So much so, that you forget to listen to them--their thoughts, their fears, their victories and their loss. What's worse is when we fail to hear their cries for attention or help. Your hearing has become so dull and worn, that the only thing that has grown keenly is your impatience and indifference.

How's your hearing? Are you busy filling your ears with so many things that you don't listen anymore? So consumed with the noise of life that you fail to listen to what people mean behind what they say. Can you possibly be so stubborn to your ideals and values, that you deafen your senses to see those around you that need your help? Been there, done that--so I know both sides of the coin. Pray that people listen more. And pray that you listen to the Holy Spirit in your daily life so that you can be reached by God--and in turn, reach those around you.

Some Lessons Learned Recently...

Some advice from lessons I've recently learned:

1. When you're given a gift, just say 'thank you' and if you must, be gracously grateful. Nothing irks me more then someone who can't receive a gift.

Mind you, I know this came into my mind because I'm the very person who needs to hear this advice. As much as I get annoyed when gifts I give aren't readily received, I know that I do the same thing. That's why its important for me to live these lessons I've learned. If you ask to hear from God, He'll speak. Hebrews 4:12 says that His Word is like a double edged sword, exposing the deepest parts of our nature and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.* I'm learning to listen to God's voice--and to say 'thank you.'

2. Don't let your thoughts convince you that what you're thinking, is reality. Assuming anything is for asswipes.

There were a couple of times that I thought my sister was mad at me. 'Why is she mad at me? I didn't do anything to her!' When I asked her directly if there was a problem, she told me 'no,' without any attitude. She was just tired and her phone was being difficult, and I was overreacting to my own assumptions. Don't let the devil make you crazy--he's a liar from the beginning.**Lies enjoys putting little seeds of hate or doubt to disrupt your love life. This leads to assumptions and opens the door to strife. If you believe in Love, you have to trust Love. And trusting Love means you also should be able to confront Lies with Truth. When lies want to tell you something negative about someone, make sure you make decisions based on Love. Or else your assumptions will do nothing but bring you grief.

3. When given an opportunity, whatever it may be, it is always best to focus on that moment and enjoy it-live in it-experience its totality-and be present in it.

We all have opportunities to learn something. To grow in some way. To gain insight into an old experience. Or to ponder a new thought. Whatever the circumstance, open your heart and mind to let God teach you something. But more importantly, to let God encourage you to live each moment given. Take it in---every moment, so that you leave it with no regrets, and you make every moment count for something.

Just a few thoughts on my mind.

*Hebrews 4:12 (Amp) For the Word that god speaks is alive and full of power (making it active, operative, energizing, and effective); it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and (the immortal) spirit, and of joints and marrow (of the deepest parts of our nature), exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

**John 8;44 (Amp) You b elong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. when he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

***Psalm 119:130 (Amp) The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou, 2010

Aloha...it's been awhile since I've written. As I drove away from JFK, with sadness and snow in fron to fme, and the images of my family in my getting smaller in my rearview mirror, I reminded myself that in order for them to know more about me and my life, I need to write more. I need to let them know that instead of just 'thinking' that I love them, I can document it so that the world wide web could continually perpetuate the feelings and thoughts that traverse my mind.

So here it is again...

I'm sitting on this blow up bed that my sisters slept on. There is Simon & Garfunkel singing on my flatscreen and the smell of honey, jam and ham fill the entire apartment. I'm thinking of all the things that I've done this past two weeks and thinking of all the things I wished we'd done. No regrets--just wishes. Then I think of the things that we were able to do, and then get a little tired. And chilly. I'm tired and need a rest. Happy New Years...