He's Listening

He’s listening, even when we don’t think He is. Even when we think it’s only something that matters to us and matters to no one else. When you speak it out and no one else is around, or when you speak it in the depths of your heart, He’s listening.

It’s funny, because about three months ago, while jogging one morning, I got to a point that I was super tired. I had just started being more purposeful about at least getting myself up and moving, and since running has always been something I enjoyed, I figured, why not? Well, that was probably week two or three, and I had just increased my distance from a mile to a mile and a half and was feeling like that was a comfortable distance to maintain. However, on this particular morning, as I headed home, about half a mile before reaching the house, exhausted and in need of water, I felt something within me say, “Just go a little bit further.” I was not having it. I was nearing the end of my jog, sweat was beading down my face, and the sun was starting to put its britches on. It was my first day attempting to push to two miles, and I was already feeling it. However, with about a quarter mile to go, I felt like calling it quits, but that same feeling said, “Come on; you can do it.”  I fought it and was certain there was no way I was going to make it that last ¼ mile, but as clear as one of my children whispering in my ear about needing to go to the restroom at a movie theater, I heard, “When you can’t, I can. I will. I am.” I looked around, wondering if anyone else was within sight, because as audible as it was, surely I was not the only one who had heard it, but nothing…no one.

Funnily enough, not only did I complete the ¼ mile, but somehow, my legs got to moving and I ran, not jogged, an additional ¼ mile. Granted, I ended up huffing and puffing like I had barely escaped being attacked by a pack of javelinas. As I bent over to catch my breath, I felt this overall sense of accomplishment, like “Oh, I just did that.” In that moment though, I knew I had not done it on my own. It’s just something I’ve been realizing more and more though: most of my achievements in life have not been of my own doing at all.

What’s interesting is that about three years ago, when I was an insurance agent, I was on my way to meet with a client at his home when I took a minute to look at the neighborhood I was in. I absolutely loved it, and under my breath, I remember saying, “I’m sure it costs a lot to live here. Who knows…maybe someday we can, even if all we can do is get a small place to rent. I just love it.” In my heart of hearts, that day, I decide that some day, I was going to live there. It was funny, because fast forward three years and our family was looking for a house to rent. Needless to say, I had totally forgotten about the car ride and that whole experience as a whole.

We looked at various zip codes and found a lot of nice homes. As we looked, I remember passing by the area with my husband and saying, “I’ve always liked that neighborhood”. He was preoccupied, so I don’t recall him responding. I just smiled to myself and thought, “Well…someday.” After all, we had a house that we were pretty set on and just waiting for the lease. Unfortunately, a week later, we were informed that they realized there was actually another application before ours, so we went back to searching, and I found a house that I wanted to check out within our price range, which was odd, because no house in that zip code was ever available in our price range before.

Well, I drove to it and couldn’t help but laugh uncontrollably upon arrival. The house truly was not as beautiful as any of the other houses on the street (I should have been more specific), but it was in the exact community that I had passed by and wanted to live in three years prior. It was the only house within our price range in that entire subdivision.

Long story short, everything fell into place. There were delays that made us want to look elsewhere, but at the end of the day, here we are. The house suits our family needs just fine, and I’ve been jogging two miles 2 to 4 times a week since we moved here.

Since I realized that what was nearly impossible in my mind, He materialized, it hit me that the statement, “When you can’t, I can. I will. I am” was so evident even in that situation. I still have some areas of doubt, but I’m certain of the fact that He’s looking out for me, cares for me, and truly wants the best for me. On my down days, when I’m about to give up and lose faith, I realize all I have to do is speak to Him, in my heart even, when I don’t have the words to speak.                     

Remember: He hears us, you and me. Even the little things, those that may seem far-fetched or minute in the grand scheme of things matter. If it matters to you, it matters to Him. Nothing escapes Him, because He’s intentional, and He’s listening.