Our new home came with an alarm system.
Complete with a speaking voice.
I have named her Sylvia.
Yes, I have a curious need to name things. Like my car, Eddie the Ford Explorer.
Most everything in my house is named. The cigar store Indians are named.
All of the wooden bears in our collection are named. And my stuffed animals? Puh-leeze! Of course they are all named!!
(A sampling? I know you're curious...
Cigar Store Indian – Chief Standing Bull
Carved Bears – Woody Buzzcut
Stuffed Animals – Spidey the Adventurer)
So, one day as "The Hub" and I were leaving out the front door after arming the alarm, and listening to the disembodied alarm voice say:
"Armed away. Exit now."
I answered:
"OK, OK. We're leaving. Wow, Sylvia is so strict."
Voila.
I have no idea how I came up with that name. I'm thinking that "she" somehow conveyed it to me telepathically.
Sylvia is a lifesaver.
She alerts us if anyone tries to break in. She lets us know if a window gets shattered. She warns us of smoke, or open doors and windows. She provides us safety and protection.
I got to thinking one day – wouldn't it be great if I had a *Sylvia* in my own life?
One of those little alarm systems that would alert me to the dangers in my life.
"Warning – Temptation approaching. Walk away."
"Warning – Life struggle ahead. Have faith."
"Warning – Sin lurking. Steer clear."
"Warning – Incoming fear. Stop, drop, and pray."
I'd like to have a little internal *beep* that alerted me to those times when I'm about to depart from the narrow way.
Actually, I do.
So do you.
As a believer, we have the BEST warning system available.
And it's not a disembodied, mechanical voice.
It's the Voice of a Person – the Advocate – the Helper – the Comforter – the Counselor – the Holy Spirit.
The challenge is to tune ourselves in to hearing His Voice.
This is my prayer.
Remember that old song "Day by Day" by Godspell?? (I'm severely dating myself here, I know):
Day by day, day by day
Oh, dear Lord, three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Such good words.
Yes, He is always speaking to us. Mostly in His still, small voice. An inner prompting. A gentle nudge. A quiet word of advice.
Discernment – that's what we need. The spiritual "ears" to hear Him.
After all, He has a way of alerting us when the enemy tries to break in. He lets us know if our faith is about to get shattered. He warns us of sinful smoke, or when the doors and windows of our hearts are open to temptation.
He provides us with safety and protection.
I'm gonna start listening more. I want to hear Him.
Unmistakably.
He is the One who will keep me alert and armed.
Speak, O Holy Spirit, speak to me.
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Armed and Dangerous |
"Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:14)
How does the Holy Spirit speak to you? How does He protect you?
Linked today with:
Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAY
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
What a great analogy, Sharon! Tuning in to that voice is so key to living a full life. Love the names....I name my plants too.
ReplyDeleteYou have a gift for coming up with the best analogies, Sharon. Loved this!
ReplyDeleteYou're quite creative with your names I see Sharon. As I was reading I was thinking we have one but far too often I don't heed the warnings.
ReplyDeleteOh I love naming things, and your name for your alarm is sweet. We have three alarms in our yard. Two Labs and a Blue Tick Hound. :-) That alarm inside our spirit is one to keep tuned up and the battery charged too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at "Tell Me a Story."
Oh Sharon AMEN!!! Love, love, love this! I knew it was about the Holy Spirit!!! Yes ...
ReplyDeleteWithout our meager alarm system - without a voice (maybe that would have helped), Sam would not have made it out of the house before that fire consumed him ... even the dogs barking did not stir him from his sleep. Maybe if I had a Sylvia ... however, I do have a couple of dear people to thank: one for the rescue and delay to be there and the other who is helping Sam through his losses.
Yet without God, everything could be much different. I'm so thankful to Him! Now for the rest and thanks for the peace you sent my way.
I'd love to see the photos of your Indian carvings and stuffed loves too! Not just Sylvia.
I'll be singing "Godspell" song all day ... I really love that song! It's our age but it's a classic!!! What a wonderful prayer for each day!
Your awesome talent for analogies are alarming and definite reason for you to put them all together in a book!
And my, how I need and pray for discernment since the 80s ... come Holy Spirit, light your fire in me ... OK that's a bit dramatic so I'll just ask for You to rekindle Your fresh anointing and voice in me ... thanks Sharon for initiating that spark!
Love you,
Peggy
On facebook earlier in the year friends had gone to the beach together and they were posting complaints about how they were not going to take "Sylvia" (or a similar name) ever with them on vacation again. I was so embarrassed about how they were treating this forth woman until they finally revealed it was their GPS - LOL - I couldn't name everything in my house - I can't get my boys' names straight - much to their chargrin.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that God's voice isn't annoying - that He knows just how to alert me, remind me, spur me along:) I'm learning to listen to His alarm system - to recognize his cadence:)
I so enjoyed your message - and your bears - one of my son's is called "Bear" (He is soooo skinny, though).
Wishing you blessing and joy this week! Thanks for making me smile!
As I've grown with God, I have learned to hear his voice. Sometimes I hear it and don't 'listen'. I'm a work in progress.
ReplyDeleteI love your Sylvia analogy, no one does those stories better than you do! It always makes me think, and challenges me, and far too often, convicts me!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that song. I'll be humming it all week, I'd almost forgotten it. It's the lesson here that I really want to remember though.
Thanks Sharon, keep 'em coming!
Just like 'Sylvia' needs for you to interact with her in order for her to be able to protect you, God needs us to interact with Him, otherwise we may forget all about Him, and do not hear His voice until the thief has already made off with the goods...our peace and joy especially!
ReplyDeleteI have a warning device in my van that lets me know when there is something behind me...it is just a blinking yellow light with one small beep, but becomes 3 red flashing lights with several loud beeps the closer I get to hitting something...I think that is how God does it...softly at first, but more urgent the closer we get to impending disaster.
Still sometimes we just keep going :O
~Blessings and love, Lisa
That is so wonderful how you put those two things together for a great mini lesson!
ReplyDeletesuch a great post, love you.
ReplyDeleteI love this, of course. I love it not only because I'm a fellow name giver (Just call us Adam) but because I love the idea that the Holy Spirit can remind me the same way your Silvia reminds you. I used to have a little handmade mezuzah by the back door that Laura made. When I would look at it as I was "going out and coming in", it reminded me of the words inside. Since I put it away in the memory box, I think I need to fashion a new one. No wonder the Jewish folks do that.
ReplyDeleteAnd THEN, I think I need one of those phylacteries to wear about my head to go along with it.
Seriously, I do think I need to stop more often to hear the words, "Armed away. Exit now."
I can soo relate. We name stuff too....our car....some flowers,etc. Makes them more personal and 'real.' Wishing you a beautiful Tuesday.....
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun analogy! What a gift it is that the Holy Spirit lives within us to warn us and guide us. The best part is...no batteries are required! lol
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Sharon!
In Him, Joan
I'm reminded of one of my favorite stories by one of my favorite children's authors, Cynthia Rylant - "The Old Woman Who Named Things". Naming one another (as well as our things) keeps us accountable to life. I'm glad for the Holy Spirit and his willingness to hold me accountable to the faith. It's not always easy, attending to his prompts. But it's always necessary.
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to that book - http://www.amazon.com/dp/0152021027
Brilliant insight, my friend! What can I say girl, you are a Ridgey Didge Wordsmith! Thank you Sharon for 'Sharing God' in the way you do. I glean so much from your thoughts and words.
ReplyDeleteRidgey Didge is an Australian slang term meaning honest, true or the real thing.)
(¯`·.·´¯) (¯`·.·´¯)
`·.¸(¯`·.·´¯)¸ .·Love & Hugs from Kerrie
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Great post, Sharon! I sure wish I had an alarm...actually I do, but need to listen to it more!!
ReplyDeleteThank God for discernment and for discerning friends, like you!
Crazy and bizarre, Sharon - I had the "Day by day" words running through my heard the other day and you bring it up here in an inspiring context. Keeping my mind stayed upon Him - listening for His voice - glad He's not named "Sylvia."
ReplyDeleteThinking of you in your difficult place caretaking your parents. The drive would be a trail for me - alone - I honor you and pray you can keep those eyes open! I'm a terrible distance driver - always falling asleep, too.
May you know His peace this night and sleep soundly and deep and awake refreshed and ready for a new day to praise Him - even though you claim to NOT be a morning girl. I LOVE mornings now since I stopped work and have the time to sit at ease with my quiet time.
Bless you in good things and beauty, my friend!
Joy!
Kathy
Placing a house alarm could make you aware about the persons who are entering your place without your knowing,
ReplyDeleteThat’s a cute name for a house alarm system, Sharon. It really does come in handy when you have someone to alert you of anything that’s going on around the house. I do agree with you. If only life came with a warning system, we would not be making mistakes that we end up regretting.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Nguyen