One pleasant surprise about being a parent is the way God speaks to me through my parenting. There have been countless times when I have felt a gentle nudge from God saying, "That's what I'M saying to YOU!" when I say something to the girls.
I guess it works both ways because something Faith said has resonated with me lately. There are some situations in my life that I am praying about, but my prayers lack the outpouring of my heart that needs to happen. I will pray about issues in a very sterile way and then call someone on the phone to pour out my heart about it.
I hear God saying to me, "I wish you'd talk to me like that." With intimacy. Truthfulness. Familiarity. Words that are not formed into pretty sentences.
Isn't this just like our God? He talks over and over about giving all of our burdens to Him.
1 Peter 5:7 AMP Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
I agree with Him on this. I would love to have that kind of prayer-life on a consistent basis. Instead, I say what my four-year-old has said about talking to God. "But, Mommy, I can't hear Him."
I've never heard God audibly speak, but He speaks to me in ways that I know are Him. Sometimes He speaks immediately when I've said something to Him, sometimes it takes years (literally) for Him to get back to me. So, it's not so much that I can't hear God; it just might "sound" different than what I'm used to. Hearing from God takes some work and some faith.
The waiting is the hardest part. It's yet another way we sacrifice ourselves, our way, our will and give them over to God. Am I willing to be patient and wait for His timing and His way instead of opting for immediate gratification? Undoubtedly, God has given me friends for a reason. He works through us to help others. But, my main focus and first response should be going to Him, earnestly asking and awaiting His answer.
Psalm 27:14 AMP
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
