When our oldest son was about four years old, he came up to me one day. Motioning with his little hand he said, “Daddy, let down your ear.”
I knelt down and he told me something–about one of his toys–and I nodded in agreement. But the rest of the day I kept thinking about what he said (let down your ear), until it dawned on me: that’s how it feels sometimes with God! I have something to tell Him, but I can’t tip-toe that high. It’s feels too far. “Father, let down your ear.”
My neighbor is an avid cyclist. One day last year, out on a ride before dawn, he hit the end of a concealed culvert and went over the handlebars of his bike–breaking his neck.
He was care-flighted to a trauma center. Things did NOT look good. Three upper vertebrae were broken when he smashed face first into the pavement, and because he only had limited use of his arms, spinal cord damage was suspected.
I remember thinking, “God, this just can’t be happening. My friend goes on 100 mile rides–just for fun–and now he can’t even feed himself!?”
Our little town quickly mobilized in prayer and support for my neighbor and his family. What a pastor friend calls, “carpet chewing” prayers were going up for my injured friend, but were they reaching God’s throne?
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14 (NIV)
Of course, He hears our prayers, but have you ever been desperate for good news that was slow to come?
“Father, let down your ear!”
My cycling buddy underwent surgery to fuse the broken vertebrae, and after months of physical therapy, made a almost complete recovery. However, he now rides a three wheel recumbent bike (like pedaling a recliner) on orders from his family!
Young children say the most profound things! Their innocent, literal thinking brains aren’t fogged over by adult cares and responsibilities. At times, they even speak for God (1 Samuel 3).
As a line from the song, Thank God for Kids says, “🎶The closest thing to heaven is a child.🎶”
A few months after my son said, “Daddy, let down your ear,” I opened my bible to Psalm 86, and there it was–almost word for word:
Bow down your ear, O Lord, hear me; For I am poor and needy.
Psalm 86:1 (NKJV)
God used a four-year-old to say the same thing King David prayed over 3000 years ago!
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
33 responses to “Let Down Your Ear”
Thanks, Pete. That’s a great verse to go with the story.
Blessings.
LikeLike
Loved this post Dave. It gives such a wonderful picture of God’s eagerness to listen to us. It reminds me of the verse “Out of the mouth of babes you have perfected praise.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Chris. I shared this post with my miracle friend and he loved it! Yes, it is amazing how God reaches down to us. He knows we are just made out of dirt.☺️. Thank you for your comment and for stopping by. God’s best to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad your friend is better. I love the idea of God bending down to hear us. He can hear us from where He is, but like a good father, He meets us where we are. Plus there’s something intimate about the closeness of bring able to whisper in His ear. God hears our quietest prayers and His answers echo through eternity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it truly was a miracle that my
neighbor didn’t have more permanent damage. It’s still amazing seeing him work in his yard across the street!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad your friend made such a recovery. That doesn’t often happen in those accidents.
I agree that sometimes children say things that are incredibly intelligent and perhaps even prophetic. It’s surprising where and how God speaks to us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Technology is our friend yet again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok. I will check. For some reason Yahoo doesn’t always let me know when I have mail. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
p.s. I sent you an email that you have on your contact page.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Yes, it has been great to see the engagement on this story!
I am glad you read and commented. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also say beautiful. Another reminder how close and personal Jesus is to us. Also noticed how many comments you got and enjoyed others input.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting, Manette. I concur that children have so much to teach us. God Bless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The lessons I’ve learned from children are so pure and innocent. They leave a lasting impression as will your shared story. Thanks, David.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carpet chewing prayers! I love it and plan to do some of those myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely 🙏 What a blessing they are David and you are for sharing these stories in your posts. I used to teach children dance and it’s something I’d love to do again one day. You’ve made my heart space happy today and reminded me how present God is within us, within children especially 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! Your comment is a post in itself.🙂 I’ve worked with many special needs students as a teacher, and echo your thoughts about your coworker. Thank you for dropping by! I appreciate your thoughts, and am happy you enjoyed the story. Blessings.
LikeLike
Thank you, Jeff. Yes, I’ve seen reruns of the show you mentioned. It’s really entertaining and enlightening to watch! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. God Bless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This made me tear up! It’s so amazing what the simplest and sometimes profound things we learn are from kids. I do not have any of my own, but work with a guy with Down’s syndrome and he has taught me more in a year than a lifetime of anything else could. 🙂
When I first started with him he told me, “Jesus gave me you.” Jesus knows what a big deal that is to me so, no matter what he means when he says it I know what it means to me. I always respond, “Jesus gave me you!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you remember the old Art Linklater show? He’d interview kids and ask questions about them, their families, and anything else that might elicit a hilarious response. He recorded a lot of them in his book, Kids Say the Darndest Things!
Sometimes they reveal family secrets, but they also offer wisdom so profound that the only other place it find it is in the Bible.
Thanks for brightening my morning with this message!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, I hit return too soon.😐 Anyway, I have a page of little kid quotes in my journal. Perhaps they are the most pure (and effective) faith healers. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can definitely relate! I recently spent two working years working with 4 & 5 year olds
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, children serve to remind us all of the truth with their innocence and curious wonder. Everything and anything is possible through prayer. All we do is say the words and God hears us. What a beautiful story with a striking image that is conjured through it. Indeed, God let’s down his ear to us. I know you can relate to my feelings that my own children have served as my greatest teachers in life. Out of the mouths of babes is an endeared quote I think of always❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’ve heard the term, “God Wink,” and this was definitely one of them. To me, it’s God’s two-factor authentication (to borrow a cyber security term) that’s most amazing. He often sends a confirmation—just so you know it was Him!
Thank you for your frequent comments and interaction, Betty! I’m sure you follow lots of people, so seeing your thoughts here is a real pick-me-up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
David, that is amazing! How wonderful to have those moments where one thinks, ” Whoa – This is more than just a coincidence.” Some call them “God winks”. Whatever these moments are called, I see them as faith building and encouragement from above! Thanks for your post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Eirene. I’m touched that this analogy connected with you so powerfully. I prayed this morning that God would use this story to connect with someone—as many someone’s as He wanted. Blessings, and thank you for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hardly know how to respond….this post has affected me to the point of tears. “Father, let down your ear.” I think I will remember this for quite some time. God bless you David!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that beautiful … that this is God’s heart 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed. King David’s prayers are a window into what a close relationship with God looks like. After all, he was called a “Man after God’s own heart.” Thank you for your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Beth. My four year old son is now 27! I sent him a link to this story as a reminder of that day. I am thankful for your regular reading and comments! Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I often think the kind of speech King David uses in his conversations with God reflect the language a young child uses with their parents. It’s so touching. It highlights the close, tender and affectionate relationship God has for us. I’m always moved when I think he wants me to have that kind of relationship with him. What a privilege.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Young children say the most profound things! Their innocent, literal thinking brains aren’t fogged over by adult cares and responsibilities. At times, they even speak for God (1 Samuel 3).” So very, very true David. Thank you for sharing the profound words of your then four year old “Daddy, let down your ear” and the journey they took you into the Word and in praying for your neighbor. Heavenly Father, let down your ear today. Amen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Kids have such good reception; their lives aren’t too complicated for faith. Thank you for stopping by. I see you have something new. I’m headed that way now!
LikeLike
I love when we learn life lessons from children. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person