Is anybody listening?

I often jokingly say, "Walls.  Walls.  I talk to the walls all day long."  I feel like my children (and especially one in particular!) often choose to ignore me in favor of continuing to do what they want.  My kids have perfected the art of ignoring (or at least appearing to ignore) their mother.  Many years ago I observed a friend tell her children, "Look at my eyes" when she wanted their attention.  We employ that tactic a lot.  One of my children makes immediate eye contact and listens carefully.  One of them, however, looks everywhere except at you.  When he finally makes eye contact, it is fleeting and once established, is quickly broken.  The truly maddening part of it is that when you are simply carrying on a conversation he makes eye contact with no hesitation - he just deliberately refuses to do it when he knows you are going to impart instruction or discipline.

I had the sudden realization a few days ago that I am guilty of doing something awfully similar to my Father.  When I hear the voice of correction gently speaking, I don't stop and listen in rapt attention.  I don't make and maintain "eye contact" until He finishes instructing.  I often rush on, hearing but not truly listening.  Worse yet, I am even sometimes guilty of brushing aside correction with excuses: behavior I would find inexcusable in my children. 

*Sigh*  They are such wonderful mirrors, these small people living in my house.  The things about them which sometimes drive me crazy are often just reflections of flaws found in me.  Time to make some eye contact and make sure God's voice isn't simply echoing off the walls in my house.