Listening to God

For once in my life I feel like I am really listening to God.  Better, anyways.  Trust me, I still have plenty of selfish days.  But at the end of those days I feel like, "Uggh", and usually realize that I just did whatever I felt like that day. I have listened to myself and the whims of my flesh for a long time.  I have still been blessed and grown somewhat as a person, but really struggled. The ironic thing is that if you had asked me all along, I would have said I was trying to listen to God.  I think I did not know how, except in small instances.  The concept of seeking discernment, wise council, and waiting for discernment I did not really get. The "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10, first part) I very rarely got.  The 'Be still' part continues to be a great challenge for me.
 
   Today a man I had never met before let me take his daughter with my own to the play area in the mall. His name was Mohammad.  We had talked a bit beforehand as his daughter was showing my daughter how to ride the imitation 'Rhody's ($20 in kiosk at Carolina Place mall). After talking with my husband we decided she did not need one of these "Hopper's" as she already has a bouncy horse to ride on at home.  And, she does not need to get EVERYTHING that she wants.  In fact, we both believe it is good for her NOT to get everything she wants. I conveyed this to the man selling them.  We said goodbye and that we were headed off to the play area.  The little girl said she wanted to go and I said she would need to ask her Daddy.  He said okay so we went. In hindsight, I should have gotten his telephone number at least.  it worked out okay. but afterwards, I felt very honored that this stranger, basically, would trust me with his kid.
   then, as we were leaving the mall I noticed a woman standing in the parking lot looking confused or like she was waiting for something.  We said hello and I asked her if she was okay.  She said she was, but that she had parked right near some bees without realizing it and she was allergic to bees.  And, she could only enter her car through the driver's side (she had parked in a handicapped spot and the driver's side was right up against a little concrete island with lots of pine needles and wasps flying around). She had had her phone out, I am guessing trying to figure out who she should call.  Margaret was in a stroller, so I locked the wheels. I told the woman if she trusted me and would stay there with my daughter, then I would be willing to get in her car and drive it over for her.  It was maybe 5 parking spaces away - I could see Margaret and she the whole time.  She said she trusted me and handed me her car key. So, I did as I had said.  As I handed her keys back to her I told her Jesus had nudged me.  We chuckled and she was off.  It is SO good to be used by God.  I am sorry I waited so long trying to be used in a profession. For some people they might be.  I don't think it is to be so for me, and I can live with that.  I just want to be used by God.