Always Listening

"We're leaving in five minutes, everybody. Let's get moving!" Dad called from the garage. Hunter, already packed and ready hours ago, bounded in through the back door. "Mom, Mom! Guess what I found outside!" But, distracted with her preparations, Mom didn't seem to hear. She bent over the cooler she was trying to organize and, frowning, pulled out a box of graham crackers. "That certainly doesn't belong in here…and neither does this…" "Mom, listen, in the backyard there's this…" Hunter paused, realizing his mother wasn't paying attention. "I know you're busy, but this is really cool!" Mom blinked. "Hmm? Hunter, if there's something you need, you can go ask your sisters. I still have so much to do." She glanced at the clock on the wall. "Oh, look at the time!" And with that, she hurried away. Hunter found his sisters in the next room. "Hey, Addy, Katie, guess what I saw in the backyard!" But the girls seemed to be preoccupied with their own business as well. "Addy, do you have my coloring book?" Katie asked her twin. "Well, yes, but--" "Oh, there it is. Let me have it.""Guys?" Hunter interrupted. "Don't you want to hear?" Addy ignored Hunter and scowled at her sister. "It's not your coloring book anymore. Mom said I could have it since you never used it." Katie jumped to her feet. "What? That's not fair! Give it back!""Nuh-uh! Mom said it's mine!" "We'll see about that. Mom!" Katie stormed out with Addy close on her heels. Hunter sighed in disappointment. "Isn't there anyone who wants to hear what I have to say?" Then he remembered the one person he could always go to when he wanted someone to talk to. Closing his eyes and folding his hands together, Hunter prayed. "Jesus, I haven't been having a very good day--no one seems to have time for me. But I know you're always there and always want to listen. You know what I found today? A robin's nest with two little blue eggs in the tree next to the window. I'm going to keep watch every day so I won't miss it when they hatch!" –Eliana Canfield