+Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—GUIDE. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. We write for five minutes on a given word. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out the Five Minute Friday website. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!
**I have a very busy day tomorrow, but I will respond and visit over the weekend. Can’t wait to read your words!
GUIDE
There’s nothing quite so jarring as hearing your son’s voice on the other end of the phone and his first words are: “Mom, I’m not hurt.”
I was at a writer’s conference last year, listening to our keynote speaker, when my cell phone buzzed. Coming from hubs’ number, I had to answer. We’d been like ships crossing, and I longed to hear his voice.
When my boy responded to my, “Hello?” and said those four words, my heart ratcheted into high gear.
I asked what happened. He told me a story of how on a hike, he, Hubs, and another leader had gotten separated from the rest of the Boy Scout troop. The hike had gone, let us say, in unexpected directions.
My son and the two men with him, slid down a shale hill. Thankfully they only bore scratches from their “adventure.”
They had been following the voices of the rest of the troop, but said voices got further away. So, they just hiked in the direction they thought would be the fastest way back to camp.
After a long downhill slide over scratching, sharp-edged rocks, they eventually caught up with the troop.
It got me thinking. How often do I follow the world’s voices assuming they’re leading me in the right direction? They may offer good guidance sometimes. But other times?
I end up sliding down into a pile of discouragement and being scratched up by the lies.
I am learning that the world has its opinions, and wants to strip my of my identity.
And God has His truths and wants to affirm me in my identity as His girl.
The world will try to guide me away from the Father because it hates Him. God will always be there to guide me into truth.
The question is, which voice will I listen to? I get to choose. God’s way never leaves me with permanent scratches on my heart. That sounds much better to me.
What about you? What truths has God shared with you that have given you good guidance through a situation? How do you discern between the different voices in your life?
Click to Tweet: God will always guide me into truth
I’m linking up with Five Minute Friday—Guide
ah yes…what voice will we listen to? let’s not be fooled!
LikeLike
Yes, Annette. We need to be careful what we listen to and hold close to our hearts! Thank you for stopping by!
LikeLike
That is a scary thought, listening to the voices of the world and assuming they lead in the right direction. How careful we must be to always look to Him for guidance! Thank you for the reminder.
LikeLike
Yes, Alice. listening to the world’s voices is scary and spiritually dangerous. You’re right. We do need to look to the Lord and know His word well so we aren’t fooled by the world’s voice. I appreciate you stopping by, friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I tend not to listen to voices other than God’s…and my own. Society, to my mind, could always go and treat it self, shall we say, unconventionally.
Listening to God generally works better…after all, Barb did agree to marry me for a second time.
Following my own mind…well, B says it’s obvious why I have an affinity for goats, because like them, I’m always on my way from trouble, or heading to it.
LikeLike
Andrew, to have the discernment to know God’s voice from the world’s is a good thing. Sometimes, I hear God’s words in my voice in my mind, if that makes sense. 🙂 Yes, listening to God does work better. And, I had to laugh at your comment about goats. 😉
I am praying for you today, my friend.
LikeLike
Jeanne,
This reminds me of the lyrics to the song…”I will choose to listen and believe the voice of Truth.” I suppose my litmus test is whether or not the “voice” I hear aligns itself with what I read in scripture. If it doesn’t, chances are it’s the voice of the world, or the enemy and I need to throw it out. If, however, it matches up with scripture then I know it’s the voice I need to listen to. Great analogy of this precept in your post today!! Often easier said than done….but I’m getting better at it in God’s strength 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
LikeLike
Thank you Jeanne. A wonderful illustration of how easily our lives derail when listening to anyone but Him. And I am thankful your son was for the most part ok. Have a blessed weekend, Julie
LikeLike
Julie, it’s true. Our lives do derail easily when we listen to the wrong voice. With my kids back in school, I’m getting more time with the Lord, which stills my spirit, which helps me to hear His voice more clearly. 🙂 And thank you. I’m glad my son and my husband were not seriously hurt too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those song lyrics are gooooood, Bev. I like your litmus test. That’s what we always need to listen to. When we know the truths in God’s word, we can sift all that we hear through that to see what is valid/untrue. And, yes, it is sometimes easier said than done when it comes to hearing God’s voice. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here! Hugs, friend.
LikeLike
What an incredible real-life reminder! We’ve been teaching our girls about cairns which is great…until someone builds one that’s not “official” and we’re led astray. Even those seemingly good and wise voices can often lead us in a different direction from God’s. Hmmm. As always, you’ve got me thinking! Thanks, Jeanne!
LikeLike
I know, Annie. Yikes. I don’t know much about cairns. We always have to be careful about being led astray by something that looks genuine, don’t we? May we both be attuned to God’s voice speaking to our hearts. Have a great weekend, my friend!
LikeLike
Glad they made it back relatively unscathed.
Wait until they’re driving and you get that call; nothing sinks your heart faster. Happened to us a few years ago…one of the high school kids had run a stop sign and hit our oldest. She was also unscathed but the car was totaled.
LikeLike
Thanks, Christy! Yeah, there’s nothing like walking out of a crowded banquet room and hearing those words. I had to just keep walking and ask for the story in as calm a voice as I could muster. 😉 That must have been a scary bit of time learning that news! I’m glad all were okay. Sorry about the car though. We’re almost to that phase of parenting. Not. Excited. 😉 Have a great weekend, friend!
LikeLike
A couple of things: I love Isaiah 30.21 and have prayed it for my kids for decades! Two: you refer to your husband as hubs – so do I. xo
LikeLike
Susan, Isaiah 30:21 is a verse I’ve come back to many, many times. 🙂 I like that we both refer to our guys as, “Hubs!” 😉 Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
Sliding down shale? Ouch! I just prayed about this this morning and it was in response Isaiah 26:3. You will keep perfect peace in him whose mind is steadfast…a peaceful mind so can hear his voice.
LikeLike
Yeah. I heard about that story and the resulting scratches for months afterwards! It all boiled down to the truth that they were okay in the end. Isaiah 26:3 is such a great, comforting, encouraging verse! LOVE it. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
The way, the truth, and the life….so glad I can cling to that. So glad your husband and son were ok after their little adventure. I’m in the 50 spot this week.
LikeLike
I am so thankful that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! And that He loves us and guides us through every moment. Thanks for adding this verse to the conversation!
LikeLike
Love your thoughts here Jeanne! “How often do I follow the world’s voices assuming they’re leading me in the right direction?”
Yes, those voices are not only tempting but they can at times be demanding. It seems that society today has chased after those voices and we are now being shredded to pieces as we slide down the rocky slope it led us to.
LikeLike
Gene, please forgive the delayed response. I always appreciate your comments! You’re right, the world’s voices can be demanding, pushy. We have to step back, evaluate the messages we’re hearing and then act accordingly. Sometimes tricky to do in a world that moves so quickly. But imperative nonetheless.
LikeLike
I know what its like to listen to the voice of my own sinful heart and others deceitful words paying dearly the consequence.
One thing about it I’ve noticed is that after you initially give ear and listen and step on the wrong path it becomes confused.
you end up thinking and believing things you never did before
And fast
You really become very confused. Things once clear don’t seem so anymore.
Almost like being drunk, your good judgment is gone
I think many times simply shutting the door quickly is the best defense to a false voice in your life.
The more you give it ear or entertain it the more it sounds like truth
LikeLike
Somer, I’ve fallen prey to listening to the world’s voices too. And yes, they only leave us very confused and unsettled. Those voices twist everything we know to be true, just like the serpent in Genesis 3. I like your antidote to the world’s voices: shut the door quickly. And then get into the Word, right? Thank you so much for sharing your insights here.
LikeLike
I absolutely love your heart for him, friend. You inspire me and light up my life. I wish I could hug you everyday. I had to let my Ryan go to his first BoyScout camp trip this year and I was mortified that I couldn’t speak to him all week. 😦 I was so glad to know he was a okay. I just have to trust our Jesus that he holds him in the palm of His hand. Sending you love. ❤
LikeLike
Ahhh, Carolina, I had to let go of my oldest and let him go to Boy Scout camp for the first time two years ago. That Saturday morning was the hardest EVER. But, he came home (with a scar where he’d been hit with a stick, just below the eye–there were a lot of boys, after all), safe and sound and full of fun stories. We learn to trust Jesus as we let go of our children, don’t we? And yes, I am greatly comforted by the fact that Jesus holds our kids in the palm of his Hand. Sending you love back, sweet friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
hi jeanne, great post:) i love the new look of your blog:) i think i have been missing you the last few weeks between various hospital visits, etc. nice to see you again:) i’m at 76 i think it is.
LikeLike
Martha, it’s so good to see you again. So sorry for the delayed response. It sounds like you’ve had a lot going on in your world. I am trying to find my new normal with the kids back in school. Life is always changing, isn’t it? Thank you so much for stopping by!
LikeLike
Amen! What a scary moment for you. It’s all too easy to follow the world’s voice, isn’t it? I’m so glad that God has promised to guide us!
LikeLike
Anita, it was a scary phone call to receive! I had to take a few minutes to let the adrenaline subside. I guess that can happen sometimes when we realize the world has gotten to us. I’m with you—SO thankful God guides us!
LikeLike
Jeanne – I’m so glad that your family was okay! What a vivid picture reminder of how careful we must be as we discern what/who’s voice we are hearing and following!
I know that must have been super scary…so thankful their “adventure” ended okay!
LikeLike
Jennifer, please forgive the tardy response. Thank you. I’m glad my family was okay too. 🙂 Being far away reminded me just how important it is to be praying for my guys. I couldn’t do anything before or after that event except pray. May we both be intentional about listening actively for God’s voice!
LikeLike