~*~ Happy New Ears ~*~

Li'l Sneezer's famous words, "I been sick," have been rolling around in my head for the past few days. A cold that just wouldn't quit finally prodded me to the doctor. She said I had a sinus infection and the start of an ear infection, so now I'm on antibiotics for two weeks.

My energy level is slowly getting back to normal, but my ears have been blocked for 4 or 5 days. (Seems more like 4 or 5 weeks!) The strangest part has been constantly hearing my heartbeat in my ears. Strange and aggravating! In my usual style, I've been analyzing what this might mean.

• Do I only think about myself?
• Do I only hear what I want to hear?
• Weldon has a constant ringing in his ears, and I have expressed frustration with his lack of hearing/listening skills. Will I be more compassionate and understanding now?

I think you get my drift.

Besides "I been sick," this verse from an old hymn has been traveling through my mind.

Open my ears, that I may hear

voices of truth thou sendest clear;

and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,

everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for thee,

ready my God, thy will to see.

Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!  

Yes! I want to hear God's voice! Deaf people can hear his voice; people not looking for God can hear his voice; Jews, Hindus, Muslims can hear his voice ... because he is always speaking! Perhaps we don't hear because we only have our own heartbeat ringing in our ears. I'm part of the "Me" generation, you know!

• You will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way. Follow it, whether it turns to the right or to the left." (Isaiah 30:21)
• The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. (Psalm 50:1)
• I want to hear what God the LORD says, because he promises peace to his people, to his godly ones. But they must not go back to their stupidity. (love this one! Psalm 85:8)
• God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. (Job 37:5)

So, I continue to pray that my ears will be opened - naturally and spiritually. The beginning of a New Year is a fine place to start. And then I want to remember to begin each new day with the same excitement and resolve: Open my ears, that I may hear!!!

 Happy New Ears!!