The character quality of one of our recent lessons was attentiveness.
Attentiveness is defined on our list (from Association of Christian Schools International) as "Listening with the ears, eyes, and heart."
The example of Jesus was the passage from Mark 10:46--52. This is the story of the blind man Bartimaeus sitting by the road begging. As Jesus is going by the blind man starts hollering for Jesus to have mercy on him. Everyone tells the man to be quiet. The beginning of verse 49 is what jumped out to me in this lesson. It's just two little words... "Jesus stopped."
I can just picture this scene in my mind....the big crowd leaving the city with Jesus and the disciples and then this blind man starts hollering for Jesus. Think of all the things that Jesus could have done. He could have continued on His way, He could have called back to the man and healed him with His spoken word. But He didn't do that. Instead He stopped.
Jesus cared enough about this man to stop what He was doing to see to this man's need.
The point of our family doing these lessons is for us to learn the character qualities of Jesus that we can emulate. We want to learn ways for us to be like Jesus. So how does this story apply to us?
In my life when someone needs me, do I stop? Do I give them my attention, my FULL attention? Am I attentive to the people around me and listen with my heart to their needs and concerns? This was a great reminder for me to be more attentive to the people in my life.
So many things can be seeking after our attention and if we aren't careful we can ignore the important ones who are calling to us. Do you need to STOP when people around you are calling your name?
Have a day of blessings!
4 comments:
I loved your post today. It reminds me to "stop for the one" as missionary Heidi Baker says.
A great lesson from the life of Jesus. I hope I will have sense enough to stop whatever I'm doing and respond when I can be of help to someone. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte
One of the things I love about this post is that you don't just tell your children to be attentive -- you tell them how. It's good to learn the character of Jesus, but merely repeating it won't help it to be understood.
Blessings,
Pamela
Great post! I notice all too often people going by when it is obvious that someone needs their help right in front of them. Whenever someone has to push my wheelchair when we go to stores that do not have motor carts they struggle so much having to open the doors and get me in the door. Most of the time someone is standing right there but does nothing. Sometimes I get bold and say, "Can you please help us?"
This is just one way that people can help. We just need to listen with our ears, eyes, and heart. I think what people are missing or in need of practicing is listening with their heart.
Thank you for this great lesson.
By the way, mom is worried about the fires and if you and your family are safe. If you have her phone number she would love a call from you. If you need it I can send it to you.
Love you...
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