Longing To Hear

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1, 2 (NIV)

"Please call me just one more time. I need to let you know how much I love you." Those were just some of the words my heart was crying out hours after our oldest son left for the army. I remember lying on the bed with my head on a tear covered pillow, unable to stop the flow of tears streaming from my broken heart. This wasn't like me.to be so emotional and desperate for the sound of my son's voice. When he was a teenager, sometimes the sound of his voice made me want to cry! (I'm sure some of you moms with teenagers can relate!) Why did it hurt so badly this time? I had never felt so desperate to hear from him before. It was not as if he would have anything new to tell me, yet I just wanted him to talk to me. As I lay there crying out, it was as if God.ever so gently, but firmly.spoke to my heart. "Susan, now you know how I feel. You don't have to wait until trauma or a special occasion comes your way to talk to me. How will you know how much I love you if you don't talk with me?"

How many times has my Father's heart hurt longing to hear from me? What was it that He wanted to say to me that I missed out on? Knowing He loves me more than I could ever begin to love my own children also tells me He longs for me to talk to Him and spend time with Him. When did I last take time to talk to God without asking Him for anything, but just wanting Him to know that I love Him?

Try to imagine not hearing from the people you love the most, and how you would hurt longing to hear from them.

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for Your great and unconditional love for me. Forgive me for not returning that love to You more often. Help me to communicate with You and love You the way You deserve. Amen.

Susan Yoder

This is another fine example of what is available in the Circle of Friends devotional available at the right side of this page.