But I Didn't Hear You

Not too long ago, I was sitting in a Relief Society lesson on obedience. As usual, my mind began to wander about the subject and it immediately led me to my own children and my difficulties in teaching them obedience. One thing we have been struggling with lately having very young children is how to teach them to obey the first time they are asked instead of waiting for the inevitable countdown from Mom of one....two....three....with the threat of time out at the end of it. My husband says I use this tactic way too much, and I have to agree. But sometimes, you are at a loss for what to do to get these strong-willed little people to listen.

*Photo by Karpati Gabor

I was also pondering the issue of ignoring. My kids have mastered this art. They have learned that they can ignore me when I'm calling or giving instructions and claim, "I just didn't hear you." It drives me crazy. And I try to explain that ignoring is still a form of disobedience.

So, as I was thinking about that issue of ignoring, a thought popped into my head. "How often do you ignore your Heavenly Father?" I immediately felt a little humbled. Of course. I ignore Him sometimes too. And, I would venture to say that many of us even say, "I didn't hear Him" from time to time.

But, the truth is, that He is always there if we allow Him to be. And, just like it drives me crazy that my children pretend they didn't hear, it must sadden our Heavenly Father when we act like we didn't hear either. Because just like I am giving instructions to my children that might keep them safe, or teach them a valuable skill or lesson in life, so is He.

So often, I am in a church meeting and feel inspiration. And, immediately following that inspiration, do not follow those promptings. Aren't I in some form or another ignoring those promptings that Heavenly Father is giving me? Of course I am.

So, after that Relief Society lesson, I decided I would at least acknowledge instead of ignore. But, how can we do that?

I think the key is to pray. Let Heavenly Father know that we heard the prompting and we are going to try and follow it. Ask for help from Him. And, hold ourselves accountable later. Perhaps we need to write it down in a journal or put a note on our mirror to help us be accountable, but we definitely should never be telling the Lord, "But, I didn't hear you." When we absolutely know that we did.

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Meredith is a mother of 3 that is all about trying to be “real” when it comes to motherhood after years of trying to fake perfection. But, it’s the hardest job she’s ever done. She loves blogging about all the perfect and not so perfect moments on her blog, Faking Picture Perfect.