I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 17:6 (NIV)

The question popped out of the blue as I tucked ten-year-old Josh in bed. It’s funny how creative conversations somehow happen at lights-out.

“How do you hear God talk to you?” Josh asked as I scrambled for a simple answer. “What does His voice actually sound like? How do you know whether it’s your imagination or God?” I detected a slight grin as I turned the lights back on.

I gave the standard answers: God talks to us as we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaks as we pray and through other believers. I reminded Josh of all the prayers God had answered for him.

“I know. But you talk about hearing God’s whispers. The Bible talks about people hearing from God. I’m worried. I know God loves me, but . . . ” Josh hesitated to say what came next. “Mom, I’ve never heard God actually talk to me. Does that make me bad? Why can’t I hear Him?”

As my son’s eyes filled with concern, I knew he wasn’t a little boy anymore, satisfied with Sunday School answers. My son was on a journey of faith and he needed what we all need: assurance that we can hear God’s voice.

“No, you’re not bad at all,” I assured Josh. “It’s the opposite. You’re  …

(to be continued)

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