Learning through a 3 Year Old

It is amazing to me to watch Karter change. He seams to learn something new almost everyday. It was even more amazing to me when I realized things that I could learn from him.

It all started last year while Karter was going through the "terrible three's." I know, everyone says it is the "terrible two's," but trust me in this case it was when he was three.

It seemed to me that he would never listen to what we would tell him, and many times even telling him multiple times did not seem to matter. If you are reading this and knew me at that age, I know what you are thinking... "yep, it's payback time". That might be true, but it has nothing to do with this story! One day, while standing in the hallway less than three feet from Karter, I was trying to talk to him when I realized he did not even notice I was talking. So I simply said his name, which got absolutely no reaction. Like any parent, I kindly repeated his name in a slightly louder tone. Again... no response. So, just like I learned from my childhood experiences, I repeated his name again. This time with that tone that says "you better pay attention or else!" You guessed it, he simply went on playing. This of coarse really got on my last nerve and I yelled (excuse me, I mean spoke loudly); "Karter you better pay attention or you will lose those toys for the rest of the night!!! Why don't you pay attention to us when we are talking to you?"

That's when it hit me like a ton of bricks. How many times do we respond to God the same way Karter was responding to me. When I asked Karter why he does not pay attention when we are talking to him, God instantly spoke to my spirit "Why don't you?"

My attitude changed immediately when I realized that I treat God the same way Karter was treating me. All to often I am too busy "playing with my toys" to hear what God is trying to tell me. The difference is that unlike me, God does not get mad or yell at His children.

Maybe we need to slow down and pay attention to hear what God is trying to say to us, and what we are supposed to be doing.

It is amazing to me that I can learn about God from a three year old, but God does say that He will use the simple things to confound the wise.....

Father, as I go through this day,

please help me to not only hear

your voice, but to listen to what

you are saying. I don't want to

miss what you want to say. I don't

want to miss what you have for me.

So today, I just want to take some

time; sit quietly; and listen....

Give me patience and the will to obey.

Thank you for you loving hand

and that sweet still voice that calls

my name.

Amen