Tuesday, July 1, 2008

I can hear her...I know she's in there!

Being that it is rather warm in Augusta this time of year, we need to get outside and that means swimming. Now, we do have quite a hillbilly heaven in my backyard. We've got a "real nice" (you say that with an accent) blue plastic pool from the Wal-Mart (you also have to preface Wal-Mart with "the" I'm not sure why) and we have a big time! Seriously, you have to have water available if you are going to spend much time outdoors. That's if we stay home. Now, I have great friends that invite us to swim with them throughout the summer. That thrills my heart that people would enjoy my company, and the company of my 3 small children and have us enjoy their pools. Today we enjoyed a pool.

I have the privilege of calling Dana my friend. Today we were invited to celebrate Canada Day with several people, including some Canadians! I tell you that because the walk to her pool stopped my spirit in its tracks.

I had finally gotten everyone in the van and happy. We had the bag packed, our suits on, and we were set for a great day in the pool. Some day I'll say "by the pool" when I'm just sitting in a chair sipping a chilled beverage, but for now I'm in the pool WATCHING everything my children are doing. "Mom, WATCH THIS! Hey Mom, WATCH ME!" Julia knew that one of her favorite little friends would be there so she practically jumped out of the van. Of course I'm left with the donkey role. I double as a pack mule, I'm telling ya!

We all enter by the back gate, the kids know exactly where to go. Julia was first. Anson was close on her heels, and Ella and I were bringing up the rear, of course. The kids cannot open the gate, so Julia was standing there, listening to all of the action going on in the backyard. She turned and shouted back at me, "Mom, I hear Jordan! Jordan is in there. I can't see her, but I can hear her voice, I know she's here!"

I've struggled with the Lord lately. I'm sure that there are several reasons and I know I'm normal, but I've struggled. I know He's good and I know that He loves me, but I'm in process. That's why my blog has been a bit slow, I write best when I'm walking with God. It's His gift, not mine. That, He has made abundantly clear. In any event, I heard this comment by Julia in my spirit. "I can't see Him, but I know His voice. I know He's here."

We can't see God, but we can see evidence all around us that points to His existence, but as far as seeing Him...we missed Jesus...God in the flesh. Although Jesus does say to poor doubting Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." I think that's me. Blessed to believe even though my eyes have not see His face. It's hard isn't it? To press on. To just keep on keeping on? You know what keeps us keeping on? Knowing His voice. Julia couldn't see Jordan, but because she has spent time with her, she knew her voice, she knew she was there.

My name is actually Alison. I'm sure that if you didn't know that, you probably assumed. There are certain people that I love to hear say my name. It always evokes a different emotion. When my husband says my whole name it communicates a gentle and sweet love for me. When my Mom says my name I usually respond quickly and without question. When my friends call me "Alison" I relax because I know these are people that have known me for a long time. You see, Ali has just recently become my name over the last 8 years or so. My principal asked me what I'd like to go by and I said, "either." Guess what it was? Ali.

There is something beautiful about hearing your name. God knows our name. God knows YOUR name. Do you know how I know that? Sing it with me, "The Bible tells me so." Look with me, if you will, at John 10:3, "The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." Does that feel good to you? It does me. God formed me in my mother's womb, He knows me. This verse says He not only knows me, but for those that belong to Him, He calls them by name and the sheep listen to His voice. That, my friends, is how we know He is near. Even when we can't see Him. We can hear His voice. That sounds easy enough, doesn't it? I don't know about you, but my life is LOUD!!! This world seems to be at a constant SHOUT while God's voice seems to be a whisper. Good thing He calls us by name. Nothing, I mean NOTHING will get your attention faster than someone familiar saying your name. I have friends that still call me AliPyle (that's all one word). That gets my attention. My children know to look my way when their name comes out of my mouth. Why is that? It's all about relationship.

If I will commit my time to meeting with God I will know Him better. His voice will become louder than this world because I will be more attuned to the voice of my Father than the voice of this world. It was just precious to me. "I can hear her, I know she's here." She was so excited!

How about you? Are you so excited at just the sound of His voice? Do you know His voice? Are you aware of that still small voice that whispers to your heart and begs you to follow? I am, and I'm tired of being irritated with the only One that loves me perfectly. I desire excitement, passion, and joy. I know when I've heard His voice, and I know He's here. That is exciting!

Listen.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yet another gem! I know that Anson loves finding gems, and I admit that I haven't been looking for them for a while. Your insight continues to challenge me to press on to love and good deeds.

Linda said...

As I read this, the words of a song come to mind:

He knows my name.
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call.

How often does HE call our names? He knows them all...he's known us longer than we've known ourselves. But how often do we answer?

Man, you posed some good questions today...

Suzanne Moon said...

Oooh, this one was for me today! Thank you, Lord! I love this nugget: "If I will commit my time to meeting with God I will know Him better. His voice will become louder than this world because I will be more attuned to the voice of my Father than the voice of this world."
Thanks, girl! Love ya!

Hadassah said...

I know its not easy Ali. It isn't for me either. To find the time, I mean. It still isn't all that fun to get up at 6:00 a.m. so I can read my Bible while the house is still quiet. But, what a difference it makes in my spiritual state. I'm not even going to say it makes my day good, that would be self-motivated. But even when I am having a bad day, if I have been in the Word, I can see through my spiritual eyes and not my earthly ones.

And it's totally not fun to get off of the computer and tuck my fanny in the bed so that I can get up early to be with God. This is like the only ME time I get all day and I hate to cut it short to get to sleep. But it is all part of making God THE priority.

I'm telling you this b/c I understand that it's hard. But, girl, it is so worth it. And I know you can do it, because I can do it. And we are probably more alike than you realize.

Ali said...

I love comments! I wish I could reply everytime individually!!! Linda,I thought of the exact same song. I love it when it is sung at church.
Hadassah...thank you so much for your words! My biggest struggle is also turning off the computer when I'm enjoying the quiet of the night, but then I don't enjoy the noise of the morning!!! Getting enough sleep is crucial. When I'm waking up I'm going to think of you, doing the same thing. A bit of invisible accountability! Thank you all for taking the time to read this, and for sharing your thoughts. Until next time.

Kim said...

Thank YOU, Ali for your comment on my blog. I love yours too! And I love the photo of your family at the top. Such a sweet picture!

Just His Best said...

ali- your family picture warms me up all over. I don't know why, but as I read your posts I keep glancing over at your picture. Yup, they're real. Those Wessners are the REAL thing. I cannot believe that the Lord blessed us with your family!!

Heather said...

Hey, we went to "the walmart" and got LB a little frog pool. So much fun! They are much better in my opinion. Mom can sit in her chair and not worry so much. Love the pic of the family! Ella is getting big and had hair! I couldn't see close up. Thanks for sharing!

Eric Livingston said...

HI Ali
I just wanted you to know that I've made it over here. Thanks for the link. I can't wait to catch up on your blog. Have a great day
Love
Dixie

Eric Livingston said...

Ali
Regarding the passage in John. I've always wondered if God has another name for me. One that was mine before I was Dixie and will be mine again when I'm in heaven. A name that He calls me and my spirit hears and responds to. Whenever God named someone is the BIble, the name meant something. Dixie doesn't mean anything significant...maybe it does to Him.

Sharon said...

Love your family picture.