We Are Heard

Skipping towards home with anticipation, her long pigtails lilted energetically against the back of her madras paid blouse.  Arriving at the white, green-shuttered bungalow she quickly twisted open the door handle of the side entrance. Would it be tomato soup and grilled cheese today or peanut-butter and banana sandwiches?  She loved living close enough to school to be able to come home each day for lunch.
"Mom!", she called loudly, bouncing inside. "In the kitchen, sweetie", came the reassuring reply.

This time she sits by the window in the little alcove her dad has turned into a dressing room.  She's a teenager. The house is quiet. It's dark except for the moon's glow bathing her up-turned face. Tears trickle  along her nose into the tissue she holds over her mouth to muffle the crying.  Her prayers are intense.  The quiet assurance of the Father's presence slowly placates her distress.

Many years have passed and the same girl, now a young mother, stirs a pot of soup on the stove. Simultaneously, she reads the recipe for the pumpkin pie she plans to bake for dessert.
"Mommy?", a child's voice queries from the next room.
"What is it?".  No answer.
"Mommy?"
"I'm in here, my love".  No comment.
The mother peeks quietly past the door frame to observe the toddler.  Happily engrossed in her play, the little one is unaware of the mother's furtive glance. Momma smiles and returns to her cooking.

Another One offered up prayers with loud cries and tears to his Father who had the power to save him from death and he was heard.  But he still died. Died a cruel death. Died an undeserved death. But he was heard. His Father sent angels to attend to him.  He was reminded of the joy that awaited him when the plan would be completed. He must have heard again how much the Father loved him.

The toddler, the school girl, the teen and the Son all were heard and it was good, it was enough.

Isn't knowing the Father is there, loving us lavishly and listening to us intently, amazing? Whatever our circumstances are now, whatever the outcome of our requests will be, we have the incredible privilege of being the apple of his eye and the one his ear is tuned to.  He is close.

Psalm 116:1 (AMP)

I love the Lord, because He has heard [and now hears] my voice and my supplications.

Proverbs 15:29 (NIV)

The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

1John 5:15 (NIV)
And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 

He hears a nation in prayer before an election, the cries of a city ravaged by a hurricane and a world torn by war.  He knows when and how to answer and He is good all the time.

Take courage any fearful among us! Stop doubting, any who have lost hope! He does hear, He is answering. It will be good for those who love him.