After last week’s heavy, tearful post, I thought we all needed a lighter touch this week. And perhaps just a little comedy. Who better to provide that – and a lesson – than the stars of my home, Maisy and Mimi?
I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time in my office recently, as I’ve been writing a new presentation that I’m giving in a few weeks. And while the girls don’t get my undivided attention every moment that I’m at home with them, there are times when they may feel a bit ignored.
Most of you know that Maisy and Mimi have very different personalities. If you don’t know that, I’ll let this post speak for itself!
When they get tired of sleeping in their beds in my office or on the couch or in the sun, one or both of them will make me aware of the fact that they’ve been pitifully ignored.
How do they get my attention?
If I’m engrossed in my work, it might take me a few moments to realize that Mimi is quietly sitting next to my office chair, looking up at me with those soulful eyes. Her next step is to gently reach up and put her front paws on my leg.
If she could talk with words, she’d say, “Hello, I’m so sorry to bother you, but is there any chance you could take a short break and give me just a few moments of your attention?”
What’s my response? Most of the time, I pick her up, cuddle her in my lap, shower her with kisses and then gently put her back down, telling her, “I’m sorry, sweet girl, but Mommy has work to do.”
Enter Miss Maisy, aka Sassy Pants.
While I’m utterly engrossed in my work – and not hearing or sensing any canine presence in my office – she violently SLAMS into the back of my office chair! WHAT???
If she could talk, this is likely what she would be saying (intentionally all caps) – “HEY!!! COULD I GET A LITTLE ATTENTION HERE!!! WHAT DOES A GIRL HAVE TO DO TO GET A LITTLE ATTENTION???!!! WHAT IN THE WORLD COULD BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ME!!!”
Deep breath. What is Mommy’s response? (I chose not to use all caps, but, you know…)
“Hey, you do not jump at Mommy’s office chair when I’m working. What is wrong with you???”
Does she get any attention? Well, sure, she just got me to stop working and talk/yell at her. For Maisy, that’s good enough – and not that unusual considering this girl’s personality. But no, she’s not likely to get cuddles and kisses from Mommy.
I hope this makes you smile, shake your head at Maisy, and say about Mimi, “Awww, such a sweet girl.”
And, of course, there is a lesson.
And the title gives it away. What does it take for God to get our attention?
First of all, God can speak to us using the entire spectrum of volume and intensity.
I want to illustrate that fact by going to Elijah’s story in the Old Testament. It’s one of my favorite stories about how God rained down fire from Heaven at Mt. Carmel – KABOOM! – to burn up the water-drenched altar and sacrifices in a divine display of his power. In a loud voice he proclaimed the unmistakable message: “I am the one true God.”
Read the entire story here.
One short chapter later, God is again speaking to Elijah at a different mountain – Mt. Horeb – and we see a completely changed Elijah, and a different aspect of God’s power.
Despite the magnificent display of divine power, Elijah is now despondent, knowing evil Jezebel is still seeking to take his life.
This is the text that describes God’s interaction with Elijah during his despair.
And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12
To be clear, God is still sovereign over the wind, earthquake and fire. However, he chose to speak to Elijah in a low whisper.
These two stories reveal some important lessons about God.
God can reveal his power in dramatically different ways, however and whenever he chooses. At the same time, God is sensitive to what we need in the moment and approaches us accordingly.
We should not be surprised if, when we ignore God’s “low whisper,” he uses more dramatic methods to get our attention! I often refer to the latter as God using a divine 2×4 to get my attention!
Maisy and Mimi’s very different approaches often produce very different responses from me.
Mimi’s gentle request is likely to be met with a gentle response. Maisy’s more dramatic approach? Let’s just say my response isn’t always quite as gracious!
But here’s where the analogy falls apart.
Unlike Maisy and Mimi, God knows exactly what we need in the moment. We may prefer his “low whisper” to something that shakes up our comfortable lives, but whether he whispers or uses something impossible to ignore, his way of getting our attention is always perfect.
The question, then, isn’t whether we like the way God chooses to get our attention. It’s how we respond once he has it.
But to land on a lighter note, Maisy isn’t God, so my response to her just might still be appropriate!
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8–9
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