By: Jackie Brindle
Published July 27, 2021
Picture this, it’s dinner time at my house. The table is set. Taco Tuesday is ready to roll and all the fixings are out on the kitchen island, like a buffet. I even put the shredded cheese in the fancy bowl so the kids can use the tongs to pick it up and feel like they are out to eat! I put on Country Music by Alexa to get the mood light and fun for dinner!
I patiently waited for the kids to trickle into the kitchen, unprompted. I laid out the napkins, forks, plates, etc.
Naturally, I snapped a picture for my “story” on Instagram because I was so excited about the presentation of the dinner! I don’t usually do "Pinteresty" things and I was feeling like I’d "pin it"! I couldn’t wait to show the kids, all the little details I put together so it would be the ultimate taco night experience!
They didn’t stroll in like I imagined. Therefore, I gave the firm loud mom voice a try! It was ringing through the house, as I called the whole family to the kitchen table! “Come on you guys, dinner is ready!”
No response. So I shout it again! “Let’s goooo, dinner is ready!”
One kid yells down, “Coming!” and a few seconds roll by and still no one’s in the kitchen. Sometimes it feels like I am talking to a wall. Then, I make my next move to go around to each room, turn off electronics so they weren’t sucked into their show or game anymore. I was frustrated and told them --- face to face--- that dinner was indeed ready!
Finally, they all come to the kitchen to have dinner. I looked around at their faces, as they funneled into the kitchen, where the music was playing Luke Bryan’s song, “One Margarita, two Margarita….”
Taco Tuesday was a success! Everyone loved it and had seconds. As a mom, this makes my heart SO happy because there are many dinners I make that there’s always one in the crowd that says, “Ew, I don’t like this.” Anyone else feel that way about dinner time, you never know how it’s going to go?
You may be wondering at this point as to why I told you all about this experience.
It’s because I couldn’t help but get impatient or aggravated with my family, waiting for the moment they would listen to my voice for the first time! I had something ready for them, so excited to share it with them, and yet they weren’t responsive at all to my call. In fact if I am being honest, it was like a whole 10 minutes until everyone was in the kitchen.
I think as a parent I can get frustrated easily when my children don’t listen. I have a feeling that I am not the only one out there that feels that way!
One morning I was reading in the book of Psalms. David, the writer started to call God out Psalm 22:1-2
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Everyday I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief!”
As I read this, I flashed back to that moment where I called for my kids to come to the table and no one jumped to their feet right away. It was like listening to crickets. Bueller? --- Bueller?
The beginning of this Psalm made me think about when I call on God and the moments in my life, where I have felt like He wasn't listening to my needs, dreams, or wants. Some of these questions have scattered through my mind before, too!
Does God tune me out?
Does God tell me to wait a minute and brush me off?
Does He ignore me, too?
Why does it feel like I am listening to crickets when I’ve called on Him before?
I could totally relate to the words of David here, when I've been through a very difficult trial or crossroads, where I needed to “hear from God”, and all I heard was silence. I could relate completely to that! Can you?
David certainly had a lot going on back then, with a whole Netflix series of plot twists and turmoil, that he had going on from his past mistakes.
As I read on, Psalm 22:22, He started out naming all the things that could go wrong, worry, and the turmoil to flipping the switch in verse 22! David starts proclaiming God's greatness instead of how great the trials he was facing! It turned into a dialogue of thanksgiving and praise! He started to firmly proclaim that, no matter what, he would praise His name to anyone and everyone.
The guy was troubled, felt distant from God, and yet He chose to praise His name. Why would he do that unless He elevated God above all, instead of elevating his circumstance/trial/fears! These words are incredibly enlightening!
I find the next part even more interesting. In vs. 24 He writes, “For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.”
Perhaps you are going through a season where God feels distant, not responsive to your calls, or the turmoil is too big and it is surrounding you at all sides. Perhaps it's leaving you wondering if God is listening! You are not alone, my friend. I am amazed at the piercing truth that flows out of David’s heart here and onto paper.
Lightbulb!
The truth of the matter is this: God is not ignoring you! He is not a human being. He doesn't pick and choose who He listens to, because we are His!
God is MUCH GREATER, than all that we can ever think of or fathom. David recognized the fact that God is forever good! He is a loving God who is worthy of all praise and has not turned His back on you or me! He listens to our cries for help and furthermore, our worries, fears, and listens to the thoughts that break our hearts.
God is full of great wonders and you are a masterpiece to Him! He is faithful, even when things feel silent. I encourage you to keep on talking with God. Keep on talking it out with Jesus. He took it all on the cross for you and me, so trust me --- He’s listening!
Be courageous and keep on calling on Him! I have a feeling, He’s heard your first call and is already there at the table with you!
He’s already telling you, that He is your rescuer and how pleased He is with you! I hope you see His strength, peace, and love in and throughout your day!
So go on, enjoy a Taco Tuesday night, knowing that God is already at the table with you!! He hears you, knows you, and loves you! You need not to guess or wonder where He is because it says in His word, that when you call on Him, He draws near!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your word. Thank you for the reminder that I do not walk this earth alone, but with a God who is omnipresent and sovereign. I praise you for you are worthy of all praise, even if I feel that you are silent. I ask that your Holy Spirit, would ease my mind, as I wait on You to work out the goodness of your unfailing love in my life!
Thank you for being my friend, counselor, and comforter. You are my rock, my redeemer, trustworthy, pure, and perfect. May my thoughts rest in that truth and hope.
Lord, help me to be a blessing to others and let them know You haven’t turned away from them but in fact are with them always!
In Jesus name,
Amen
留言