Can I Hear you Now? Good!

Verizon wireless has done a fantastic job in recent years by marketing well their product in mobile cellular phone service.  Though the company has many competitors, the main competition has been with ATT (Cingular).  Much of the Public Relations war has been over reception throughout the continental United States.  Though it is debatable from one region of the U.S. to another, Verizon claims to have the better service.  In order to promote this claim, they have produced a number of commercials with their spokesperson holding a phone in the most remote of places and asking, "Can you hear me now?"  The presumed answer on the other end of the line is "Yes," to which the spokesperson responds, "Good!" The marketing message is clear, "Our service works everywhere without dropping your call."

It is good to be heard isn't it?  It is good to be connected.  Most of us are glad to know that someone is listening and that others care about how we feel and are concerned about our heart's desires and burdens.
As much as you like to be heard, how are you doing with listening to God and others?

A few years ago I read this prayer below and recorded it in my prayer journal:

         The Telephone (Author Unknown)

     I have just hung up; why did he telephone?
     I don't know....Oh!  I get it....

     I talked a lot and listened very little.

     Forgive me, Lord; it was a monologue and not a dialogue.
     I explained my idea and did not get his;
     Since I didn't listen, I learned nothing,
     Since I didn't listen, I didn't help,
     Since I didn't listen, we didn't commune.

     Forgive me, Lord for we were connected,
     And now we are cut off.
   
  At times I wonder if God is asking the question, "Can you hear me now?"