Sunday, January 30, 2011

Are we truly listening?

Today at church, the speakers talked about the listening to the spirit. They gave a story that I have mentioned before...it was about a man who is in the park and hears the beautiful song of a bird, but looks around and realizes no one notices it. But when he took a coin from his pocket and dropped it to the ground, everyone heard the sound and stopped what they were doing. The comparison is... are we able to hear the spirit of the Lord, with all the loud noises and contrast of the world? What do we do to make sure we are truly listening?

I love the scripture in St. John 14:25-27 It is where he is speaking to his disciples and explaining to them that his time upon on the earth is just for a little while. He knows of their concern when he leaves, then in 26-27 He says the most incredible thing...26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." 27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

I do believe it takes a lot to tune out the noises of the world and truly be able to hear that still small voice of the spirit. It takes a desire to have the spirit, you have to want it and do whatever you can, to prepare yourself to receive it. The speaker shared some ideas of what she does to help her listen better.

1. Pay attention to the music that you are listening to all the time....Is it something that would keep you from hearing the spirit?

2.Don't gossip.... Remember that is not only spreading horrible rumors but mentions it is gossip if you are saying something about a person, that  you wouldn't say if they were there in the same room. That is food for thought!

3. Read the scriptures daily..... How often do we spend hours, watching TV shows or movies but we wouldn't think of spending even a few minutes reading, searching and pondering about the ?

4. Pray always...When you wake up in the morning, make sure that the first  person you talk to is the Lord. It is so tempting to wake up and put on the TV or go straight to the computer and get your email or check face book. Not that any of those things are bad, but if you want to hear the spirit, you need to pray. You need to ask your Heavenly Father to help you today to hear and feel the spirit. There are many things that take up our time, and before we know it ...the day is done and can we say that we heard and felt the spirit that day? That is how God is going to communicate with us, that is how He will teach us. That is what the Savior promised His disciples, and it stands true for all of us today!

I don't know about you, but I personally need the Spirit ( Comforter ) with me each day, not only to calm my fears, and give hope to my soul, but to help me in my decision making throughout that day. As a Mother, I think it is vital to listen to that spirit to help me, teach  and guide my children. How grateful I was today reminded once again to stop and listen!

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