In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.  

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

It was just this past Friday, when I was not-so-patiently waiting for my husband to come home. We had plans to go out for dinner with my stepson and his girlfriend. I was hungry and getting crabby. It was a tough day at work and I was really looking forward to some time with my family. I didn't know why my husband wasn't at home, dressed and ready to go when I arrived. After waiting an hour, I called him. Brian, my husband, said he had called my cell phone but there was no answer. He left a message, asking that I meet him at the restaurant - that the three of them were already there.

What? Already there? How could I have missed the call?

Oh, wait. There was a time after arriving home. I brought the dogs outside for a couple of minutes, so they could do "their thing." Sure enough. I checked my cell phone. There it was, a sweet message from my husband stating they were at the restaurant and had just been seated. I was to come on over.

How many times in our busy lives do we miss the message? I personally jump from one activity to another without taking the time to wait for a response. I don't listen for the full "thank you" from someone before "you're welcome" is already rolling off my lips. I even catch myself saying "You, too" to a clerk, only to realize she never said "Have a nice day."

Our lesson today is all about the messages. God has something to say and wants the whole world to hear it. He needs us to stop and listen. We ask all the questions. God has all the answers. We need to do our part and hear.

I called my husband back and told him I was on my way. We had a wonderful evening, but only after I stopped to listen to the messages I needed to hear. It amazes me what I can learn if I slow down enough to hear what is out there.