Only the Beginning, but Just as I Promised

Listening For Crickets in the City

So, after a few days in the Big Apple, I have so many grand stories of subway escapades and near misses of losing my son in New York standing next to my husband. Two toddlers from Middle America meeting the big city is a little exercise in letting go. We have so many fun adventures every day that it is almost impossible to overcome anticipation to reach sleep. I'll start with my favorite moment so far.

You see, I almost missed it. It was so easy to pass right by that moment without a moments notice. The passing cars and taxi cabs roared, horns beeping, ambient people chatter added to the noise. I was lost in conversation with a long displaced sister. However, the sweet voice momentarily peaked at just the right time, and I listened to a few minutes that brought a fresh country breeze to my spirit overridden with city air. I heard Jonathan singing.

Now, you must realize this is nothing new. My children live a musical-style life that randomly breaks into song just as the plot turns. My sister added that all transitions in the life of small children must be accompanied by a ritualized song to ease the tension. However, Jonathan started into a short verse of Jesus Loves Me, followed shortly by the chorus of I've Got the Joy...Down in My Heart. I heard the small voice of my son praising Jesus in the midst of the relative chaos around him.

It was such a precious thing to hear him call out to God when he truly believed that no one was listening. It was like a private conversation with a close friend just to check in and say, "I love you...and I'm missing you. Just thought you should know. I'll check in and catch up later." I wonder what that would look like in text messaging if Jonathan could send his shout-out that way.

It reminded me of a sermon illustration I heard recently (I wish I knew the source, so if you do know forward it along so I can give credit where credit's due). A Native American visited a friend in New York. As he walked the streets, he was surprised to find a familiar sound that seemed out of place. The Native American's friend hurriedly tried to follow his friend for blocks hunting the noise. Finally, he reached down to move a plant covering a cricket. "How did you find the cricket over all of this noise?" the friend asked. "Easy. It all depends on what you are listening for." To prove his point, the Native American reached in his pocket for a few small coins and released them from his hand. When they hit the pavement, everyone walking on the block stopped and turned to see where the money fell to the ground.

It reminded me that I should handle with care what I am listening for. If I am not careful, I may miss the sounds of my children's childhood that is really important.

"The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." John 10:2-5