Can You Hear Me Now? - Derrick Jackson

Can you hear me now?  That question has been burnt into my mind because of the Verizon commercials from a few years ago.  Having someone walking around, what appeared to be all over the country, to see if someone could hear him or not, did get a little annoying, however it didn’t seem to matter where he went, people could hear him.  To hear someone clearly is very beneficial to both the speaker and listener.  If things aren’t communicated well things can get misinterpreted pretty easily…think drive up speaker at a fast food place. 
One winter, my sister and I, were driving the 4-wheeler around in the snow.  We would take turns as to who was driving while out in the field messing around.  During one of those times I was taking over the driving as she was getting on and I asked, through the helmet and neck scarf, if she was ready and I thought she said “go.”  Soon after taking off I quickly realized she was no longer on the 4-wheeler and had fallen off.  She wasn’t very happy about it!  You said “go”, I explained.  She said…”I said NO, not go!”
As parents we know this all to well.  Speaking clearly and simply is the best way to get whatever message to our kids.  It doesn’t always work but if we don’t speak clearly, kids can hear something totally different.  Each parent has a set of rules for their kids and those rules are talked about as well as enforced.  We try to make them as clear as possible so the kids know what they are to do.  We are quick to talk about the rules around the house and especially when we are in public.  We talk, sometimes threaten, when we go places so they remember what to do and what not to do.  We talk about these rules because we want our kids to be the best and most polite kids they can be.  The rules that we set are usually pretty good.  They help keep our children safe and out of trouble.  But they aren’t the only commands we are to be reminding them about. 
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 is a section of Scripture that has been with me for a long time…thank you mom and dad!  I knew the rules of the house but I also knew God’s commands as well.  God’s commands were always talked about, and talked about, and still talked about, so that I wouldn’t forget them.  As parents we need to be taking advantage of every opportunity to teach them the commands of God so they don’t forget.  If they question us why, which they will, we can repeat it over and over and then simply ask…Can you hear me now?
“These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all His decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life…These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframe of your houses and on your gates.” 
(Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 6-9)