God is still speaking today but, are we listening?   

            I had an interesting experience recently (October 20) that illustrates how God speaks to us.  I pulled into a bank to go through the drive-through window to make a deposit.  As I pulled in, I admit, I didn’t particularly look at the light over the drive-through that tells you if a particular lane is closed.  So, I pulled into the lane right in front of the tellers window.

            As I pull in, I’m getting my check out to make a deposit.  Then, I hear a faint sound, “SIR “ and the rest was kind of garbled.  I looked toward the teller window thinking it had come from within the bank.  When I didn’t find anyone looking at me which would have indicated they were trying to talk to me I just brushed it off. 

            I continued working on my deposit and again, I hear the same sound, “SIR “ and the rest was garbled.  Again, I looked toward the teller window but again, no one was looking at me like they were talking to me.

            Then, I heard the voice again but it was more distinct.  “SIR … THAT LANE IS CLOSED.”  I followed the sound and… there was a lady who is a member of our church two lanes over from me looking at me from the driver’s side window of her van and laughing… pretty hard at my reaction.  She saw me looking  all over for the  source of the sound but  being unable to find it. 

When I realize who is responsible for the sound, I reply “This lane is closed?”  She responds by shaking her head and laughing at the look on my face.  Lol.  In my opinion, she was a little too much fun laughing at the confused look on my face.  lol

I then turn  toward the bank window and there is lady sitting at the window who  kind of smiles as if to say “You dummy…” 

Well, now, I’m embarrassed. 

So, I put my vehicle in reverse and pull in an open slot in the  drive through.  I then look at the lady from my church and tell her I didn’t realize the lane was closed.  She replies, “You couldn’t figure out WHERE that sound was coming from, could you?” She had seen me looking all over trying to figure out where the sound was coming from and I was having no luck.

Samuel had the same experience.  The Bible says God called Samuel but Samuel did not yet know the Lord so, Samuel thought Eli was calling him.  (ISamuel  3).

So, what do we learn from that experience?

First, it’s always best to READ the “OPEN/CLOSED” light over the drive through.  If it reads “CLOSED” it’s best NOT to pull up in it.  J

Second, like the lady from church trying to get my attention… God is still  speaking to us.   

But, one  final lesson.  I am in the right lane and I make my deposit and everything is cool, right?  Not quite. 

                I put my deposit in the canister and it went “shuumm” (or something like that) through the tube to the teller.  She recorded it for me and sent it back.  I opened the canister, got my deposit slip out and promptly DROPPED it.  I look at the lady in the teller window and the look on  her face was like “We have to get you out of here before you tear the bank down!” 

                She then says “at least it didn’t roll under your car.”  I lean out, pick it up and put it back in the tube thingy. 

                I dropped the canister because I was flustered.   Maybe you have dropped a canister in life.   If so, God wants to help you pick it up and get on with life… from an aisle that’s open in the drive through window.