Can you hear me now, God?

My ability to hear God is like owning an old cell phone with bad reception. I can catch the main points, but every other word of the important details just seem lost somewhere over my head. I feel like I should be praying what that dude in all the Verizon commercials is always saying " 'Can you hear me now', God? Hello?.. I heard you a second ago, are you still there??" I usually don't let it get me down when I don't fully understand what God is trying to reveal to me. I mean, if it's of dire importance, I believe He will get across to me somehow.
But it can be super frustrating sometimes. Especially when I see my friends hearing God everywhere! Random songs, books, the sky, little kids, paintings. I've had a few of those moments where God showed up in a random scenario, and it was awesome! I want more! I want God and I to switch to a better cell phone provider, so I can hear Him everywhere, saying everything!
A few days ago I told one my friends that I sometimes have difficulty hearing God word-for-word, and my friend's advice was to learn how I listen and how I love and how I communicate best, and listen "through those avenues, because He knows us and He will talk to use through the ways He knows we are able to listen the best." And in my head I'm like

Oh. Yea. Duh.

So that's simple enough, now I just need to figure out how I listen, love and communicate best.
And on top of that, what I've noticed about myself is, I need to stop being distracted by other people's hearing God, so when it's my turn, I'm not looking the wrong way. There's a reason hearing God is a gift. It's so beautiful and awesome when it happens, and some people are lucky enough to hear Him loud and clear almost all the time. So when I'm calling on God and He's responding, I was to be sure I'm getting that whole gift and hearing God's every word.

"Can you hear me now, God? GOOD."

Personally, Claudia Rose.

Bible Study Time!

Alright, I've got my bible, my journal, all the Christian books I own, my "God time" music playlist on repeat, a comfy chair with some pillows, a glass of water, and my phone is off. I'm ready for some one-on-one devotional.

So, where to begin. Maybe I'll just open to a random page and see what God destined for me to read - wait, no, that's dumb. It doesn't work like that. Okay, I'll just pick James, that's a book full of good advice. Alright, here I go.

... *five minutes pass* ...

I love you God, but I don't like this Phil Wickham song. Next.

Same with this one. Next.

... *five minutes pass* ...

Wow, those trash trucks are loud. Way to distract me!

And it's SO bright right now. Aw, look at what a nice day it is outside today! It's perfect to be on the beach. NO. Focus. Beach tomorrow.

... *five minutes pass* ...

I wonder what time it is. Oh yea, I wouldn't know because my phone is off. What if my parents text me and it's important? I should really turn my phone back on. Wait, what am I thinking? They can wait one quick hour while I'm doing my bible study.

... *five minutes pass* ...

It really is a beautiful day. I mean, I could just go and study on the beach. It will help me appreciate the wonder and beauty of God's work.

No no no. It's strictly study day. No day dreaming.

Now back to James. Chapter 1 verse 4....