Carter was being particularly hard-headed this morning and just refused to listen to directions. I felt like a recorder that was set on repeat, “Carter, stop doing that,” over and over again until I realized I was getting on my own nerves by repeating myself. Finally, as calmly as I could, I told Carter to go sit in his room until he could come back out and listen.

I gave him a few minutes and then asked, “Are you ready to listen yet?” I just knew he would be ready to come back into the living room and watch his movie.

“No, mama. Not ready yet.” His response totally caught me off guard. He stayed in there a few more minutes, then snuck around the corner and whispered, “I ready now.” I smiled and invited him back into the room and we started over.

Then it hit me: how many times does God need my attention and I’m just “not ready” to listen? How many times am I like Carter and just “not ready” to hear from and act on God’s direction because I’m too consumed with what I want to do instead?

Don’t you just love it when God teaches you as you are trying to teach your kids? Aren’t you thankful He is so personal?

May we all ready our hearts today to hear from God.