Memaw, That Hurts My Ears: When Something New Doesn't Sound Safe...

A Heart Refined with Rachel Menard
Jul 22
4 min read

Once a week, I get to spend the day with this fantastic little creature...my Grand girl, Ember Grace. Some days, we eat yogurt and run around the island in the kitchen, laughing and screaming as loud as we want. Some days we snuggle and watch more Mickey's Funhouse than we should. Sometimes we go on barefoot walks, pick wildflowers, and talk about what's going on outside...oh goodness...how could I possibly ask for more?!

Recently, while we were walking, the loud sounds of summer -- Cicadas and lawn mowers -- were just a little too overwhelming for her in the moment. She reached up and asked me to hold her, saying, "Memaw, that hurts my ears!"

She needed to feel safe. So, of course, as she covered her ears, I picked her up and held her close. I asked her if they really hurt or if the sounds were just different. As she thought about it, I explained to her what it was, and after a few minutes, she felt safe and was satisfied that everything was ok.

Over the past few months, the Lord has been leading me to take certain steps in relation to my personal relationship with Him as well as establishing A Heart Refined Ministries. I don't know what it will all mean in the end, but He has been specific...

Rachel, put away extraneous things that are not kingdom-minded or kingdom worthy.

Rachel, contact this person...no really...stop procrastinating...contact them!

Rachel, trust me...set aside your presuppositions and go to that meeting.

Rachel, stop trying to have the last word. Honor your husband.

Rachel, it's time to hand this thing you've been doing to someone else.

Rachel, you are tired. It is ok to rest.

Now, Rachel...let me hold you and help you!

As I walked along, holding my precious little Firefly, I started thinking about how afraid I've been of God's direction...of what those things will require of me, or take from me.

I watched that beautiful being move from happy to afraid and back to content all within a few minutes, all because the thing she was not afraid to do was reach up for comfort. I realized that the peace of God, when the sounds of new seasons are overwhelming, is as simple as letting Him hold me.

It's just true, though...My expectations in life are limited by my shallow selfishness. That's why "different sounds" -- ie. God's perfect, loving direction -- can be off-putting.

The peace of Jesus is so far beyond my finite thinking. That's why I have to take deliberate, decisive steps toward Him!

Think about Job...The noise surrounding him was WAY worse than mine, but still, I think about his initial step toward God when it would have been easy to cover his ears and curl up in a ball. He was not afraid to reach up for comfort....

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD” Job 1:20-21

How, though, was worship his default response?

Because he knew who He was talking to!

The word NAME means "the revealed character/nature of God."

Blessed be the ONE who has revealed Himself to me!!

Job was able to take that step because He believed God and His plan to be good. He had already taken the opportunities provided by God in his life to be still and know.

Let's keep going...

“Be still and ***know [His Name (His revealed character/nature)]*” Psalm 46:10**

What about BE STILL? What does that even mean?!

The biblical definition is "To sink down, relax, let go, cease striving, withdraw, stop fighting, bring hands down from defensive position; Open hands and heart to receive God."

I know this verse is not directly related to Job, but the point remains...Even in the shock of all the horrible things that happened to Job...even as his wife told him to "Curse God and die" (Job 2:9)...He got still and knew...He lifted his arms and blessed God!

Have you ever read Hinds Feet on High Places? If not, you should!! It is an allegory of the Christian life, from infancy to full relationship. The main character, "Much-Afraid," grows in fellowship with the "Chief Shepherd." Here's one of my favorite parts...

“The Fearing’s had carefully closed the door when they entered the cottage and even contrived to bolt it so that Much-Afraid could not escape. Now came the distant sound of a man’s voice, raised in song, singing one of the songs Much-Afraid knew, and loved so well. Then the singer Himself came into view, slowly passing along the lane. It was the Chief Shepherd… the words floated in through the open window…

The voice of my beloved!

Through all my heart thrills,

He leaps upon the mountains,

And skips upon the hills.

For like a roe or young hart,

So Swift and strong is he,

He looketh through my window

And beckoneth unto me…”

I long to be still and know, as Job did! I want to leave behind my Much-Afraid self for His Grace and Glory. I ache to hear God's direction and not cover my ears with fear, but to trust and be satisfied that if God is requiring something of me or taking something from me...

I am safe with Him!

Is there a direction the Lord is giving you that hurts your ears, that makes you feel unsafe? It's ok...He's so patient and kind! He's there, ready to comfort and help you!

But don't waste any more time... get still and know Him! Confess your need, in the same innocence as my sweet Baby Girl, and open yourself to receive Him. Remember, though, while He does want you to feel safe with Him, that is not all it is about. He is offering Himself to you now because there is work to be done in His Name! Knowing Him equals serving Him as the Spirit leads. He does not need you, but He certainly wants you!