Come ‘n Get It!

With one persistent, metallic ringing of the dinner bell, fourteen feet run at top speed toward the house. In a large family, it only takes one missed meal before you learn to listen for the sound of the bell. Hunger is a fine instructor.

Since buying a few acres in the middle of the barren Texas countryside, I have been amazed at how quickly the children drop everything to “come ‘n get it”. Shovels, rope swings, tea parties and cats are all discarded while one child races to beat another. They’ve learned to listen and respond to a familiar sound.

This isn’t a tale of Pavlov’s dog. But it is a convicting reminder of my hearing problems.

I regularly hear the ring of the dinner bell, more commonly known as the Holy Spirit’s conviction.

“Is that a good use of your time?”
“Was that a kind tone of voice?”
“Were you fair and just in dealing with that disagreement?”

Unlike my children and the dinner bell, I find it far too easy to tune out His voice. My own selfish desires win more often than they should. I know it’s time to get off the computer or to speak gently to a naughty child or to listen patiently to both sides of the story. But I can easily muffle that clanging dinner bell and do things my way.

So what is the solution to improving my hearing? When I am faithfully and consistently in God’s Word, I hear the prodding of the Holy Spirit much more clearly. Not only do I hear Him, but I’m also led to obey.

The more time I spend in the Word, the more my ears are tuned in to His voice. It’s a simple equation.

How is your dinner bell working today?

Gwen clangs the dinner bell three times a day for her eight children and husband John. Remodeling, moving, babies, homeschooling – and Bible translation? The good and the bad is detailed on their blog -Tolivers To Texas.