Good morning girls and boys. Do you talk to God? We can think of ourselves as talking to God when we say our bedtime prayers. That's one of the times we ask God for things -- like watching over members of our family, or helping people who are sick to get well. And that is like a conversation with God. But did you ever think that God is talking to us, always? Well, He is. But the problem is most of the time we're not really listening. God is always there to tell us what to do -- if we just listen. Try listening to God and He will let you know in your heart what to do.
But God also wants us to be good listeners with other people -- and that's not always easy. It's not just when they are talking to us. We can also listen to them by trying to understand how they are feeling - - if they need help, or extra attention, or just someone to be friend to. That's listening with your heart, the way God wants us to.
(Reprinted with the publisher's permission from the Sunday Sermons Subscription Service. This annual service is now available via email for the reduced rate of $29. You may order this, and many other resources at a discount through the Homiletic Resource Center. See Sunday Sermons for more info and to order.)