Daily devotional, March 14, 2024 Babbling
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."
1 John 5:14-15
As mothers, we are the default audience of our kids. From their first words, up to their babbles, and then their full sentences of endless (and sometimes pointless, haha) stories about school, and hopefully everything about their lives. We are the designated listeners in the family, and this is one of the blessings our Lord God has given us.
It is a blessing because we get to have the opportunity to try to be like Him. As our children babble, and tell us the highs and lows of our days, our Heavenly Father is likewise keenly listening to us as we pray and talk to Him about our day.
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:12
When we sign off at night, and tell Him everything that we have done for the day: what we wish we could have done better, what we have been a bit guilty for, and the blessings and thank yous we have for Him — All these are a welcome voice to our Lord. It is like a happy melody playing in a father’s ears.
"We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him."
John 9:31
That is why, we should try our best to keep our tight relationship with Jesus alive. Every single day, we should come to Him in prayer, rejoicing with thankfulness for everything that He has done for us. Always willing to listen to what He has to say, and we do it by dedicating time to read and reflect on the bible.
That in times of pain and desperation, we come to Him with our weary hearts and bodies, telling Him that it is Him whom we only totally depend on, and we mercifully ask His help. That it is Him we seek in happy times, and it is Him we seek in desperate times, and all those seasons in between.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In our relationship with God, let us emulate our children who talk endlessly, and tell us their wishes randomly, and cry out their lungs when they are hurt and they need us, because that is the kind of dependence, reverence, and desperation God wants us to have for Him.
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."
Jeremiah 29:12-14
When we know and acknowledge that God is our one true King, our only Protector, Provider and Savior, we rightfully put Him to where He belongs in our lives. When we remove the things and pursuits that take our time away from Him, He will bless us with the peace that transcends understanding. He will allow our will to align to His, and our eyes will be opened. It will be opened to the many graces, mercies, and love, that He so lovingly and graciously gives us. The gifts He has long been waiting for us to open.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
So listen to those endless stories of your children, and pray that the Lord will bless you with a whole lifetime of hearing stories from them, even as they grow old too and have their own lives. And of course, nourish your loving and intimate relationship with the Lord, up until the day He comes to take you home.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 66:16-20 and Jeremiah 29:10-14 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you feel like God is listening to you and your prayers? How do you keep your relationship with Him alive?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to draw near you. For listening to everything I say. For letting my concerns be yours and helping me resolve it through Your divine will. Help me to become more like you, as I listen to my children, and try to emulate You in giving a secure kind of love to them. Amen.