Are You Listenin’?
How’s it goin’, friend? I’m so glad you came by. I was watchin’ a lil’ ol’ raccoon washin’ a river clam out in the birdbath plum like it was preparin’ a five‑course meal, and it sho’-‘nuff made me git to laughin’ out loud. But it also nudged my heart toward a truth worth sharin’. Come on and sit with me a minute. So, pull your chair up real close and settle in like we’re about to shell us some peas together on a warm ol’ Texas front porch because this one is mighty rich and it’s real tender, too. Proverbs 4:20 says, “My son, attend to my words. Incline thine ear unto my sayings.” And to deepen this truth, we will weave in James 1:21, which says, “Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” These two verses walk hand in hand like an ol’ farmer and his faithful ol’ hound dog that never leaves his side. They plum remind us that hearin’ God ain’t accidental. It’s plum intentional. It’s real humble. It’s a heart that leans in instead of wanderin’ off like a lil’ ol’ squirrel that spotted a loaded pecan tree.
Now, friend, let me tell you somethin’ here. If you want to hear God clearly, you can’t be flappin’ around like a ol’ rooster that just discovered its reflection in a shiny hubcap. God speaks to the heart that bows low, listens long, and refuses to argue. That’s why Proverbs keeps repeatin’ the same two instructions. Attend. Bow the ear. Solomon knew that a proud heart hears nothin’ but its own noise. A humble heart hears God whisperin’ through the wind like a wise old owl that sho’-‘nuff knows exactly when to speak.
Proverbs 5:1 says, “My son, attend unto my wisdom and bow thine ear to my understanding.” And Proverbs 22:17 adds, “Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.” Friend, that there’s Scripture’s way of saying, “Sit still, hush your fussin’, and listen with both ears.” If we don’t bow the ear, we won’t hear. If we don’t quiet the heart, we won’t receive. God’s voice just ain’t found in the chaos. It’s found in the stillness that most folks avoid like an ol’ raccoon that refuses to go steppin’ right on into a trap.
And let me be tellin’ you, today’s world is plum allergic to silence. People keep more noise around ‘em than a whole barnyard at feedin’ time. But if you want to hear God, you can’t be livin’ distracted. You can’t be givin’ Him half an ear while scrollin’, stirrin’ supper, and hollerin’ at the dog that keeps right on chasin’ the same squirrel. Hearin’ God requires some serious attention. Real, focused, bowed‑down attention.
Friend, this here’s where the heart gits to growin’. This here’s where wisdom gits to settlin’ in. This here’s where God shapes us like a potter shapin’ clay that refuses to git to wigglin’ right on off the wheel. When we attend to His words and bow our ear, we begin to hear Him in ways that plum steady us, strengthen us, and straighten out the places that got a little bit too crooked.
Father, help me give You my full attention. Teach me to bow my ear and quiet my heart. Remove the noise that keeps me distracted and fill me with a desire to hear You clearly. I want to receive Your wisdom with humility and walk in Your understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, there it is, friend. As you journey on back into your day like a lil’ ol’ deer that plum knows exactly where the drinkin’ water is. You gotta be keepin’ your ear bowed, your heart open, and your attention fixed on the One who speaks life. That there kind of focused listenin’ will sho’-‘nuff be carryin’ you a whole lot farther than any ol’ loud noise this wild world can ever offer you.
With joy,
Gwen
