Half Listening

We have a park bench underneath a clump of trees.
That bench has been there for many years.
My husband even put four pieces of flagstone under the legs of the bench.
He wanted the bench to remain level and not sink into the mulch.

That bench has gotten much use over the years.
It was the place where each July 4th, my husband lit sparklers for our young children.
It was the place from which football games on the lawn could be watched.
It was the spot where a long phone call could be enjoyed under the trees.

The bench was starting to show lots of wear.
The iron armrests and legs were still in good shape.
The wooden slats on the seat and back had seen better days.
The slats were starting to move a bit.

My husband is quite handy and can fix almost anything.
I knew that I could find another bench.
I also knew that he would tell me that he could fix the one we have.
However, he agreed it was time to get a new one.

I found a bench, which was delivered less than a week later in a large box.
There was some assembly required.
This bench is all metal and is not supposed to rust.
My husband put it together in no time.

If we put the old bench out with our trash, it would be quite heavy for the trash men to lift.
I heard my husband hammering in the garage.
I knew what he was doing.
He was breaking the old bench apart to make it easier for the trash men.

Very neatly, as if putting together a puzzle, my husband put all the pieces into the box.
It fit perfectly.
The box, with the pieces of the old bench would be put out with the trash.
Since trash day is on Wednesday, our trash is put out the night before.

The night before was the 4th of July.
We received a phone call from our trash company in the beginning of the week.
When I answered, it was an automated message.
Because of background noise, I only heard…put your trash out on Friday night.

I made a mental note, though I did not think the message applied to us.
Our trash day was not on the holiday.
That message was for the people whose trash day happened to be on the 4th of July.
I knew our trash day was unaffected, since it would be picked up the day after the holiday.

My husband put the trash out to the curb on Tuesday night.
I helped him as I pulled the recycling can out to the curb as well.
He pushed the box filled with the pieces of the old bench up the driveway.
I watched him struggle a bit since the box was quite heavy.

We both walked back toward the house.
I admired the moon that was almost full.
We came inside.
I was glad that the new bench was under the trees and the old bench was out in the trash.

I usually hear the trash truck early Wednesday morning.
I am usually out on my walk when the trash truck goes by.
This trash day everything was quiet.
By lunchtime, the trash can, recycling can, and the box with the old bench pieces were still there.

I decided to call the trash company.
I am sure you are tired of these phone calls, I began, but I wanted to check on holiday pickup.
Business or residential? The operator asked me.
Residential, I answered.

I was transferred to that department.
Can I help you? A pleasant voice asked.
Yes, I received a phone call before the holiday but I didn’t think it applied to me, I admitted.
I thought it only applied to people whose trash pickup was on the holiday, I continued.

Can I have you address? The woman asked with a smile in her voice.
After giving her my address, she had the answer I needed.
Your trash pickup is on Saturday; please put your trash out on Friday night, she informed me.
I guess the message did apply to me, I said a bit embarrassed at my half-listening.

I sent my husband a text knowing that he would not be thrilled to lug the heavy box back.
I went out and got the trash can and recycling can and brought them back to the garage.
The lonesome box with the pieces of the old bench is still by the curb.
I will put the box on the dolly and wheel it back inside when I get home, my husband texted.

I heard the message.
I was sure it did not apply to me.
I was so sure that I only half-listened.
I got bits and pieces of what was said and filled in the rest.

He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? (Luke 12:54-56)

We can observe animals for weather changes since their bodies are affected by air pressure.
Old sheep turn their backs to the wind, cats sneeze, and cows lie down when it is going to rain.
If birds fly low it is a sign of rain; if they fly high it is a sign of fair weather.
Even wolves howl more before a storm, according to the Farmer’s almanac.

Jesus knew that we would be able to tell the weather by watching the earth and the sky.
However, Jesus also knew that we would fail to watch the signs of the times.
We would fail to understand the present time based on God’s Word.
God’s perfect Word is living and active but we do not pay attention.

We do not think God’s Word applies to us.
We think God’s Word only applies to the people of Jesus’ day or the days of the Patriarchs.
We only half-listen since we do not see ourselves in the warnings.
Repent for the Kingdom of God is near, is not for this time but for that time we foolishly think.

If we half-listen, we do so at our own peril.
God’s Word is for all people, for all times.
We cannot afford to half-listen to the words of Jesus.
We must listen with our whole heart and we must obey.

Trash pickup is one thing.
Eternity is quite another.
The directions are clear.
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31)

2 responses to “Half Listening”

1. Good word – thanks for sharing

   Reply

   • Diane,
     You are welcome. It was a message I needed to remember as well.
     Gina

     Reply