Paying Attention

Photo by Dean Johnson

In late April 2015, Corporate Chaplains of America hosted a regional training conference in Dallas, Texas for us chaplains.  During the conference, Matt Baldwin spoke to us from Psalm 51.  What caught my attention was Psalm 51:3-6 and 10-12;

“For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned

And done what is evil in your sight…

 

…Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, 

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (NIV)

Matt related a story from his life that reminded us to pay attention to when God speaks to us in the small things because they can have big consequences.  Matt’s story reminded me of a story from my own life.  In 1984, my paternal grandmother, Grandmother McVay, was in poor health.  During the month of August, I kept thinking, “I need to write a letter to Grandmother.”  I kept putting it off because I was busy with my high school studies, high school band and my Boy Scout troop.  This feeling became more and more intense until one morning; I awoke from my sleep writing the letter in my head.  Once awake, I joined my mother for breakfast and was told that Grandmother had passed away.

Immediately, I thought, “That’s why that letter came to me so vividly.”  I was disappointed that I hadn’t written the letter, however, my dad’s twin sister, Aunt Joyce DID write a letter to Grandmother.  This letter expressed many things that I had been thinking.  It was a beautiful expression from daughter to mother of the extraordinary example of womanhood and motherhood that she represented.

Now, when I sense God saying to me, “Send them a note of what they mean to you.”  I try to get on it as quick as possible. 

Every day, God is speaking to us that provide us guidance and protection.  It may come in a message as we are driving such as, “Take a different route today.” To keep me out of an accident.  It could be a red light that slows me down that prevents injury up ahead.  He could be telling us something in caring for our children such as, “Move that hot coffee mug away from the edge of the counter.”  So that toddler James doesn’t reach up and grab it, spill it and burns him.  It could be to pray for someone – RIGHT NOW.

There are many other examples and I would love to hear yours as well.  We have to pay attention to when God speaks to us, be steadfast in our action knowing that we are prone to make transgressions.   Seek Him, pay attention and He will give us the wisdom we need when we need it.