"But wisdom is vindicated by her works." // Matthew 11:19
Just a little embarrassed, I wiped my eyes as I stood in front of my honors biology students. It should not have been a big deal, but here I was (grown-up educator and all) crying as we watched a video of a baby boy hearing for the first time after receiving an implant that restored his hearing.
"Did you hear that, Jonathan?" the mama sung to her little boy on the video. He gazed at her incredulously, his puzzled face quickly transforming into the most brilliant of smiles. It was such a simple thing: a baby hearing the love in his mama's voice for the very first time. But I melted, of course. A few of my students did, too.
I have come to believe that apart from "I love you," three of the best words we can hear from another are, "I hear you." These simple words remind us that not only are our words worth listening to, but that our very selves are as well. Feeling unheard is not much different than feeling unloved, is it?
Jesus knew both. It didn't matter what John the Baptist said or did before Him, and for some, it didn't matter what Jesus said or did either. There were some who simply wouldn't hear Him (Matthew 11:16-19).
It begs some questions, sister: Do we desire to hear Jesus in the crazy, broken messiness of our lives? Or do we distractedly call on others in the marketplace to entertain and distract? Like Jonathan, can we look with joy at the One Who loves us and desires to speak only good things to our hearts?
Lord, we desire to hear You. Help us to hear You more.
Look at the One Who loves us. // Karen Schultz Click to tweet
Karen Schultz hails from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where she is often found in or near one of them. As a doula, lactation educator, and FertilityCare Practitioner, she finds joy in helping women to embrace the gift of their bodies. Downtime is found in quiet adoration chapels, farmers markets and gardens, and listening to bluegrass music. She is the author of Blessed Conversations: Misericordia.
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