For a long time I have believed the adage that “we do what we want to do.” And I will tweak that a bit to say “we hear what we want to hear.”
My family used to laugh at my dad in his aging years because of his “selective hearing.” On TV, he loved to watch the Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers during which he would tune out any conversation in the room. He intensely watched his favorite teams on the tube. At the commercials we might get some conversation from Dad but once the game resumed the selective hearing went back into action. He would hear only what he wanted to hear.
My spiritual life is sometimes like Dad’s old habit. I hear only what I want to hear.
The promptings of the Spirit may come but I choose to ignore Him if it interferes with my plans.
One day, Mom saw that Dad was engrossed in a Cowboys game and teasingly asked if he wanted Brussels Sprouts with his dinner…knowing he hated Brussels Sprouts. Dad was immersed in the game and only gave an affirmative nod. At dinner, he was unpleasantly surprised to see Brussels Sprouts on the table. He asked why in the world Mom served those little cabbages knowing full well his dislike of them. We all just smiled.
I must remember that selective hearing can lead to unpleasant situations.
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