Bible Reading: Mark 4:1-9; Romans 10:17; Philippians 4:8-9

"Sea lion caves," read Graham. He pointed to a sign next to the road along the Oregon coast. "We're there!"

Dad nodded and drove into the parking lot. Soon the family stood in the underground viewing area, close enough to see, smell, and hear the roaring creatures.

When a torpedo-shaped body with a whiskered, cat-like face slid through the water and clambered up onto the cave floor, Dad took out his phone. "That type of seal is called the Stellar sea lion," he said. "This website says the spots that look like dimples on the side of the seal's head are tiny ears. Most seals just have openings, but the Stellar sea lion is an eared seal. When it dives, those little ear flaps cover the openings, and when it surfaces, the ears open up again."

"Wow! That's cool," said Graham.

After watching the sea lions for a while, Graham and his family returned to their car and went on their way. As they drove, they talked about the seals. "Why didn't God give me ears that would close?" Graham asked, laughing at the thought of his ears opening and closing. "I'd like to be able to shut some things out that I didn't want to hear."

"I thought you could do that already," said Mom, pretending to be surprised. "You never seem to hear me when I tell you to clean your room!"

Graham smiled sheepishly. He knew she was teasing, but he suspected she wasn't totally joking either.

"That's a good point," said Dad. "God didn't give you ear flaps, Graham, but He did give you the ability to open and close your ears in another way. You can open your ears by listening to what's being said and close them by not paying attention. It's important to open your ears to what your parents, teachers, and especially God have to say."

"That's right," said Mom. "God often uses parents and teachers to help us understand what He tells us in the Bible--the truth about what Jesus did to save us and how we should live as God's children. We need to open our ears so we can hear and obey."

–Bernice S. Karnop