Stay at Home Mom

How many can say that they have allowed the things around them to keep them from being effective communicators? I can raise my hand here. There are so many instances when I feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, and it has made me an ineffective communicator and listener. After five months of being a mom, I am reminded of a concept I learned in communication studies while at university. The idea is that no matter how well someone is communicating with you, noise, any internal or external interference, will keep you from receiving what they are saying. An effective communicator knows how to actively listen, ask questions for clarity, and respond appropriately.  A great communicator does not just need to use verbal (things that are said) and nonverbal (body language or tone) effectively, but great communication requires listening intently. Noise, however, can get in the way. As stated above, there are two types of noises: internal and external.

Internal noise is something inside that is keeping you from receiving communication. This can be as simple as how you will react to the message you are receiving. Maybe it’s a feeling you have towards the person who is communicating with you or your feelings toward yourself. You could be distracted by where you must be in the next five minutes. 

In contrast, external noise is something outside of yourself that is keeping you from being an effective listener. Car doors slamming. Buses picking up students. Garbage trucks in reverse. A baby crying. It can even be nonverbal cues from others. The stance that someone has while speaking to you, or the tone their voice has while speaking.

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes allow noise to keep me from hearing God. God, I know I should love my neighbor as I love myself, but did you see how she looked at me? God, I know that I should be careful what I think, but did you hear what they said to me? God, I know I should guard my tongue, but if that person says one more thing to me… 

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were dealing with a lot of noise. First, it was a possessed fortune teller following them and acting as their announcer. Paul felt bad for this woman, so he cast out the demon that possessed her. Then the men whom the woman worked for complained about him casting out the demon. Paul and Silas were thrown into jail. Can you imagine being imprisoned after doing something good for someone?

I can identify with Paul and Silas. There are moments when I do everything I know to do, and I end up between a rock and a hard place. I’m in a tough spot, and there is nothing more I can do but pray and worship. It doesn’t say it in the text, but I wonder what noises they were battling during imprisonment. Were they questioning their actions? Were they replaying the accusations? Could they still hear the woman shouting? Are there moments of doubt when being taken to the cell? 

Acts 16:25-26

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

No matter the noise, Paul and Silas prayed and worshiped. Their shackles were loosened and the cell door was opened by their praise. I know that the idea seems unrealistic, but I have tried it in my own life. When I feel discouraged, lonely, or overwhelmed, I turn on my music and worship. I know now that in the middle of an undesired situation, God is trying to tell me something, and my worship is a set of noise cancelling headphones. 

Now that I know how to cancel the noise, God can communicate what He needs for me to hear. When the noise says “you are not a good mom,” worship allows me to hear “I make up what you lack.” The noise may say “you are weak,” but worship allows me to hear “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” Noise says “they do not like you,” but after worship, I hear, “I love you so much that I believe you are worth dying for.” When noise says “you are not worth much,” worship lets me hear “you are so important to me that I will walk through fire to get to you. I will cross the stormiest seas to reach out and comfort you. I will battle a legion of demons to be your friend.”

It’s time to let your worship cancel out the noise. God is trying to tell you something. He cannot communicate His plan or love for you if you do not cancel out the noise. Worship is a great way to do it. Create that atmosphere to receive what God has for you. Watch Him do exceedingly, abundantly, and above all you could ask for today. 

Sincerely Your Sister,

JJJ.