Month: August 2019

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.  Proverbs 1:5

The first act of love is to listen.  Paul Phillips

There is a well known game that we used to play in our youth fellowship circle in Snellville years ago.  It was called the “whisper game”.  The youth would make a circle, someone would start and whisper in the next person’s ear.  They in turn would whisper in the next person’s ear and so forth.  At the end, the last person would tell what he heard.  It was always entirely different from the way it started.  For example, “I gave my brother a ride to work became my mother can ride a stork.”

It always proved to me that listening and hearing are two different things entirely.  Sometimes people totally miss what others are trying to communicate because although they think they are listening, they aren’t hearing the message as it is often misconstrued.

It made me think of things that I don’t want to miss or misconstrue in this life because I don’t open my ears.

I don’t want to miss the power and presence of the people around me especially children and older adults.  These two groups can teach us all so much if we take the time to open our ears to their message.  How many of us get down to the child’s level, make eye contact, and truly listen to them without just pretending .  Their outlook on life is amazing if we only take the time to hear.  It’s the same with the older adults in our midst.  How many of us are willing to take time to sit with them and listen to their stories with our ears and our hearts?  Their words are full of history as well as life truths.  How I wish I had listened more intently to family members as they told  stories of their past.

I don’t want to miss hearing what my heart is saying to me because I don’t open my ears  Many times my heart is nagging me to visit someone I love or I know is lonely, make that cake for a family with illness, write that note to lift someone’s spirits, and on and on.  Sometimes I dismiss it with, “I’ll do that later”, but later never comes.  I don’t want to miss it.

I don’t want to miss the times when God speaks to me.  I know many days when I don’t take the time to open my ears to listen, and I miss so many lessons, advice, and wisdom that comes from Him.  I know He loves me just as I am, but I am thankful that He loves me too much to leave me where I am.  He waits patiently until  I am ready to listen.

There is an old hymn which sums it all up:   Open my eyes that I may see; Glimpses of truth thou hast for me; Place in my hand, the wonderful key;  that shall unclasp and set me free. Chorus: Silently now, I wait for Thee, ready my Lord thy will to see; Open my eyes, illumine me;  Spirit Divine.    Open my ears that I may hear ; voices of truth thou sendest clear,  And while the wave notes fall on my ear;  Everything false will disappear.    Open My Eyes by  Clara H. Scott

I don’t miss to miss it because I’m not seeing and listening!

For we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body whether good or bad.  2 Corinthians 5:10

I’ve never been to court except to serve on jury duty, but recently, I had the experience.  If you don’t know about it (as I didn’t), there is a law called The Move Over Law which requires that you move over when an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road.  In my defense, there were many more cars which didn’t move over, but I won the prize of a citation.  The fine was so huge, that I decided I needed to at least try to win some kind of reduction, so I went to court.

I had no idea what to expect, but luckily, I met a guy outside the court room who had obviously done this many times, and he was able to clue me in as to what I should expect.  He ended by saying, “It all depends on the judge.”

The judge entered the courtroom, we all rose, and he began to give us the rules.  First, no leaning on his bench, stand up straight.  Second, if you don’t have a driver’s license, please don’t attempt to drive away from court.  Lastly, please read the paper given you and sign it!!  Then, he said something which shocked and frightened me; “Folks, this is your arraignment.”

Arraignment is defined as a court hearing in a criminal case in which the charges are read out to the accused, and he or she must plead guilty or not guilty.

When my name was called, I sat with the prosecuting attorney and she asked, “How do you plead?  Guilty or Not Guilty?”  The question was  sobering, and I wasn’t prepared to answer it, so I told her my story and she gave me my options.

As I waited to come before the judge, I watched person after person walk forward and make their pleas.  One young man was a repeat offender, and the judge’s sentence was harsh for him.  “Son, he said, you cannot drink and drive.  I’ve warned you and now I am going to have to send you to jail.  Don’t pass go – just go straight from here to jail.”  Just as I was thinking that I didn’t luck out on the judge, my name was called.  I stood very straight before the bench.  The judge read my report, looked at me and said, “Mrs. Mikler, you have a perfect driving record, and I’m removing this citation from your record for you.  Pay the fine and you are free to go.  Then he added, “Sorry, I wish I could reduce the fine.”  Did that mean I was not guilty?  I think the judge was just merciful.

I began to wonder if this will be the scenario when I stand before the ultimate judge at the end of my life.  Will He ask if I’m “guilty” or “not guilty” of sin, judgment, neglect, selfishness, and so many others?  Will I be able to defend my actions and decisions, or will I have to plead guilty.?  Will my ruling be harsh or will it be merciful?  Will I be able to give a good account of my life or will I be sorely lacking?

In retrospect, I’m thankful that I had a good judge, and I know I’ll have a fair and merciful one at the end of life.  In the meantime, I don’t want to be a  “repeat offender”, and I really want to strive to be able to  plead “Not Guilty”.  I also pray that I never have the occasion to be in court again!  I am; however, thankful for merciful judges.

Bur he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.  Judges 16:20

Recently, I heard a Fourth of July sermon on America and the privileges we have in this country.  I was able to apply this lesson while we were on a trip to the Baltic Sea a few weeks ago.  We can’t imagine the privileges we take for granted in America until we see it from another country’s perspective.  We could all use a reminder of just how fragile our privileges can be.

Samson is a prime example of someone who took his privileges for granted. I can still see the pictures in the Picture Bible of my youth where Samson, although blinded, stood between two pillars of stone in the midst of over 3000 of his Philistine enemies and brought down the entire building.  They had tortured him, gouged out his eyes, and used him as a slave thanks to the betrayal of Delilah.

The secret of Samson’s strength was his long hair, and when Delilah cut it in his sleep, his strength was taken away.  The strange thing is, he didn’t realize it.  He just assumed that God would always be with him.  His strength was a privilege from God that he had taken for granted.  When he returned to God, it was restored.

There are many privileges that we all take for granted every day.  I sometimes forget to give thanks always for the many privileges that I assume will always be there.  Years ago I just assumed that I would always have the privilege of being able to see and talk to my Mama and Daddy, my good friends, my family, and those I love, but that privilege is not assured.

Health and the ability to be healthy is a privilege.  If you don’t appreciate your health and strive to stay healthy, that privilege is not assured.

I just assume that our country will always be free, but that is a privilege that needs to be nurtured and treasured.  It may not always be so.  When you visit another country our freedom suddenly becomes precious.

I assume that the church I love will always be there packed with friends and fellow Christians that are dear to me.  That’s a privilege, not a guarantee, and unless I nurture and protect it, that may not always be so.  We can’t just hope that people in charge will do things that are in its best interest because we never know the agenda.

I, like Samson, assume that God will always be with me, but that is not a guarantee.  If I don’t do my part to pray to Him, do His will, and keep the lines of communication open, He might depart from me and I won’t even know it until He is gone.

Each day is a special privilege and is worthy of thanks and praise to God.

For by grace you have been saved through faith and not of yourselves–it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

So let us not become tired of doing good;  for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.  Galatians 6:9

Attaboy is defined as an informal method of encouragement or congratulations.  

Today I sat down, turned on the television, and for some reason, the channel was tuned to a rodeo.  The girl’s barrel racing event was on, and I watched a few of the contestants finish their course on horseback.  The interesting part was after each one finished, they instinctively reached down, patted their respective horse, and mouthed, attaboy.  My first reaction was, “Well, you better do that.  You couldn’t have finished without that horse.”  Many times we fail to give credit where credit is due.

Suddenly, my mind turned to a new school year and the classrooms that await teachers and students.  As teachers, we learned early in our training that every student needs an attaboy or attagirl in the course of their years in school.  No matter your age or grade, getting positive reinforcement and/or praise for a job well done, no matter how big or how small, can mean the difference between success and failure for these students.  Teachers particularly, need to hear attaboys from parents and administration alike.

The same theory applies to all of us in our workplaces, organizations, jobs or social encounters.  You might get paid for the job, but the bonus comes in hearing bosses or co workers take the time to appreciate a job well done with words of encouragement or attaboys.  Research confirms that productivity increases when the environment is rich with affirmation and encouragement.

Jesus reminds us of the need to give attaboys when he urges us not to get tired of building up others.  He didn’t dwell on the sins, but rather tried to encourage the sinner to accept forgiveness and go and sin no more.  I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t appreciate a compliment, a kind word, a smile, or a word of encouragement.  It is so needed in this world today.

It’s a great time for us to vow to be more of an encourager and give credit to those who need it.  I love the words of one of the boy’s coaches:  We win as a team, and we lose as a team.