Did You Hear That?

Did You Hear That?

I stood in the doorway to the children’s bathroom at our younger son’s home, watching him bathe his two little ones after dinner that night.  Evie was nearly three years old at the time, still testing the boundaries that two-year-olds look for on a daily basis.  Jamie had told her several times not to stand up in the bathtub.  While he was bathing the baby, Evie continued to ignore his direction, standing again in the slippery tub.  A little exasperated and concerned for her safety, Jamie gently popped her on her wet leg, as he said, “Evie, I warned you not to stand up in the tub.  Now, sit down.”

As I heard the pop, I expected her to break into tears, not because she was hurt, but because the sound echoed in the tiled bathroom and sounded like it hurt.  Indeed, I heard a gasping intake of her breath, sure that wailing would fill the room.  Instead, I heard her say, “Daddy, did you hear that!?”

Turning my head and walking away so she couldn’t see me, I doubled over with laughter.  My son had just disciplined his daughter for repeated disobedience, and she was far more concerned about the echo in the bathroom than the discipline.  Even Jamie ducked his head as Evie wonderingly searched for the source of the echo.

I walked into the family room, telling my husband and Nicole about Evie’s response to discipline.  As a matter of fact, it became a line used in our family when someone was not paying attention.  If I was talking to my husband and he seemed to be watching television instead of listening, I might walk between him and the TV, saying, “Did you hear that?”  Or, if Rick called while I was fixing dinner and I failed to respond appropriately to something he said on the phone, he might say, “Did you hear that?”

When I shared Evie’s line with my brother, a pastor in Texas, we chuckled.  John asked next, “I wonder how many times the Lord has spoken to us, and our only response has been, ‘Wow, did you hear that?’”  Indeed, I have found myself in circumstances and been so overwhelmed by the situation that I failed to focus on how I got there.  My focus has been on the result of my behavior, instead of the behavior itself.  I have just wanted out of the situation rather than to learn how to avoid the situation.  I have cried out for the results to be changed instead of asking what lessons could be learned through the consequences.  I wonder how many times the Lord has allowed me to experience the discipline of love only to hear me respond with, “Wow.  Did you hear that?”

Lord, help me to hear you before the consequences come.  When they do come, help me to realize they are from a hand of love.  Give me a heart that desires to please You more than it wants to avoid consequences.  Shower me with grace as You grow my character through loving instruction and discipline.  Thank You for Your loving hand as I walk in the slippery places of this earth, and I trust You to keep my feet planted firmly on the Rock of Jesus Christ. 

© 2011 Gerry Sisk

(07/27/11)