I’ve concluded that I must have sensitive hearing. Which would explain why our family’s sometimes fun, sometimes crazy, sometimes defiant loudness can totally overwhelm me and make me want to shut myself in the laundry room. So I’ve debated between two solutions.
My first idea is to snag a pair of my husband’s earplugs — the flourescent yellow ones he wears when he mows the lawn. It’s cheap. It’s effective. “I can’t hear you! Come talk to me later!”
But it does seem a little harsh. And I guess I would be running away in avoidance rather than “enjoying the now.”
So I’m certain that God led me to a second option. The one where I embrace the loud and learn to live joyfully in the loud. (Which does include periodic retreats to the laundry room to catch my breath.)
Because it’s what He taught me through our marital valleys. That in Christ, we can experience abundant life regardless of our circumstance. Peace and joy and love can arise even in the middle of a storm. That’s one thing that’s so miraculous about being God’s child.
Experiencing peace in the middle of the loud isn’t easy. It takes diligence and time and faith. And prayer — lots of prayer. But He did promise.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:26-27
So yes, I have sensitive hearing. But He’s reminding me of my inheritance. That I have the Spirit of God Himself residing within me. And regardless of how loud life gets, I can press into Him and stir up His peace even in the middle of life’s chaos.
Ideas for stirring up peace in the middle of the loud:
Dance as a family.
Sing as a family.
Pray — alone in the laundry room or as a family.
Quote promises of God — out-loud!
Whisper.
Fill me, Lord…
Is your life loud?
How do you (or could you) press into God even in the middle of the wild?
Love this. Things certainly get loud in our place with four active boys. I am learning to find joy in the midst of it. To live in the moment and make it amazing.
“Live in the moment and make it amazing.” Love that! Will be repeating.
Sooo, I have a couple of thoughts. I’m fairly certain that in schools today, that children are instructed to use “inside voices.” If this is true, then this would be an easy carryover to your home. I do not like loud noises and I have a rule in my home that they are not allowed. yes, children come to my home. If they are having trouble being quiet, I tell them that they are welcome to enjoy the outside for awhile and be as noisey as they want. i make certain that they have proper atire and that there are games available both inside and outside. I also have a rule in my home that electronic games are to be played without accompanying noises on the first floor. this can be modified as fits your home. I love children and they love me. We have tons of fun. But, boundaries are GOOD…they teach respect and everyone needs to learn how to do this. These things I have shared with you I’m calling “swaddling your home” as it replicates what we do with infants. Infants can sometimes have too much energy and they move their limbs alot and become more agitated and unable to calm themselves…swaddling helps calm them. (Sorry if this is not exact, it is as I understand it and hopefully, you get the idea.) A home that is in chaos will feed on its own chaos and, well, become more chaotic. By setting boundaries you can have peaceful space and everyone, even the children, will recognize the value in it. It is OKAY to have subdued noise or even quiet in your home. Yes, I know that children can be loud and I even enjoy it occasionally. I love to play and love to have children play. But chaos is not okay in my home and we still have tons of fun at my house. I know, I didn’t list any scriptures but I hope this practical thinking will support and encourage you.
Sorry, I also thought of this other boundary I have: if nobody is watching it or listening to it, turn it off!
I needed this and I love it. I too have sensitive hearing. Sometimes I cannot think because of the noise around me and it makes me want to hide somewhere too and say “be quiet and leave me alone” but that would not be the right thing to do. We need to enjoy every minute, even the loud ones, and find quiet time at another time and place. 🙂
With five children it is often loud in here! I am learning to find Him in my loudness as well! I don’t want my children to change, I just want to be able to find what I need from God in the midst! This was an excellent reminder!