"Give Me Just One Minute..."

As mommy, I get asked 1,000,000,000 questions.

Really, I wonder how many questions I've been asked over the past nine years.  

My head might explode trying to calculate.

Mom, can I fix a snack?

Mom, when are we leaving?

Mom, can Isaac come for a play date?

Mom, what time is practice?

Mom, when is dad coming home?

Mom, what time is dinner?

Mom, may I have butter on my cornbread?

Mom, can I go down to the neighbor's house?

Mom, am I playing football next year?

Mom, when do I get a cell phone?

Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom.

Sigh {grin}

Numbers 9 gives an account of Moses leading his people {still} through the wilderness of Sinai.  The Lord instructs Moses in verses 1-3 to make sure His people still observe Passover, despite their less-than-convenient living arrangements. God intended for the ceremonials to be held, even while walking the desert lands of the wilderness.

As you know, Moses was the man.  All things came to him and filtered through him for approval.  

If I have three little boys asking me 1,000,000,000 questions, I can only imagine how many requests came Moses' way.

But this one in particular struck me.  Let me explain...

During the institution of this "traveling Passover" (if you will) it is brought to Moses' attention that there are men amongst them who are considered "unclean" due to the touching dead bodies {yikes}.  Also, there are men who are away from the masses, traveling on a long journey (v.10), who are physically just not present during the observation of Passover.  

So in childlike fashion, the questions come to Moses...what should we do about these ceremonially unclean, dead-body-touchin' people and our traveling friends?

Well, to me, this one is a no-brainer.  Handling a corpse before dinner is not accepted in my house.  Sorry.

And if you are away during dinner time, then pick up something while you're out.  No need to come all the way home to eat with us.

But Moses, in all his wisdom says, "Wait, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you." Numbers 9:8

Read that again.

This line jumped into my soul and stayed.

Moses did not speak out of reaction or his own opinion.  He knew the importance of consulting with the Father first.

Two things that spoke to my heart the most...

One.  Moses tells the people to "Wait."  Other Bible translations say "stand still."

How often do I ask my children to "wait"?  Countless.  But this verse makes me feel better about the "Give me just one minute" reply.  Moses did not rush in to an answer.  It was important for God's people to be patient while Moses sought the best answer for them.

Two.  Moses hears from the Lord.  Mmm.  

Def: Hear (shama`) - to listen and obey.  To hear concerning one.  To consent.  To give heed.  (But my personal favorite)...to yield.

Moses knows that if he comes to the Lord with these questions, he will HEAR the Lord's will and have the opportunity to YIELD to God's desires.

Yield:  To surrender or submit to another.  To handover possession. - Merriam Webster

Oh, that I would live a yielded life to the Lord.  That I would be a surrendered mommy... Handing over possession, even of my children, to the Lord.  Submitting their 1,000,000,000 questions to HIM.

I answer out of reaction so often.  Snapping out of frustration...saying "No" out of inconvenience ...  saying "yes" to make them happy.

"Wait that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you."

Mmm, Moses.  This is soooo the perfect response.

In everything....by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make you requests known to God...Phil 4:6b

Today, no matter how big or how small the questions, let us come to Him and hear.  Yielding our reactions to Him...so we can respond with His will.

Lord, remind me today that it is OK to WAIT.  To stand still long enough so I can hear from you.  Let me live a yielded life to your voice.  Listening today, not with my ears, but with my heart.  Your will be done....1,000,000,000 times.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

(picture by my neighbor, friend and photographer Jennifer. jenny1129@gmail)