hearing things, tuning

I am amazed at the things I hear. I have a weird buzzing that breaks into my thinking - always think it is my phone - but most of the time its nothing - paranoia? And as I sit here in the lightening morning with all of my kids still sleeping, I swear I hear the baby's distant "maaaaaama" in my ear. But I checked and she is still tucked in with blond wisps curling damp against my pillow, thinking that warm pile of down is her mama. My ears are tuned to the sounds I must consider important, eh?

I tell my kids to tune their ears to my voice. They are my children and there will rarely be any other voice as important for them to hear. My voice should break through into the cacophony of their play and imaginings, should burst through like a cymbal - and without me having to shout. How can I protect them if they don't hear me? How can I lead them and instruct them and help them if they ignore my voice. Hear me, children, because I love you!

Tune my heart to sing Thy praise ... and my ears to hear your voice, sweet Lord.