“Mom, you know that movie we watched at Grammie’s house? Well, I have been thinking about it and I have to tell you….”
“I thought of a joke! Listen to this one, Mom! Why does a monkey need an umbrella?….”
“Guys!!! Guys!! Listens to this! I know what to do!”
“I feel sad today….”
Language is a mysterious thing. Humans somehow learn an extremely complex system of sounds and use it to communicate. No other creature on earth has this capacity. God gave us words.
Every time my children come to me with words they need to share I am reminded again that language is an amazing gift. I love hearing their very original jokes and thoughts about things. Their emotions put into verbiage overwhelms my heart with joy. The more my children tell me, the more I want to help them and bless them. The topic rarely matters to me. So long as they aren’t complaining, tattling, or screaming, I love every word they express.
It happened tonight when Baby Lady went on and on and on about something very unimportant to me that was very important to her. As I sat there completely focused on this mundane speech about how much she likes a toy and how that toy looks, I suddenly thought of my prayers.
Sometimes I go on and on when I talk to God. I tell Him things He already knows, like how mad I am (at Him or my husband, usually), how concerned I am (for my kids, most of the time), how disappointed I am (in myself, generally), and how grateful I am (for His grace, undoubtedly). Listening to my daughter made me realize: God probably cares less about what information I communicate, yet He is overjoyed when I share my heart with Him.
Pouring my thoughts out to God proves that my heart is all His, just like I know my children love me when they feel they must tell me things. Words are the only way to get what’s inside our souls out there so that God, ourselves, and everyone else can be on the same page. No more secrets. No more hiding. No more pride. Just real, honest words.
Some nights, I sit on the edge of my children’s beds and I sing this hymn to them. I don’t think they fully appreciate yet the privilege it is to be able to talk to the Creator of all things and tell Him our relatively tiny woes. But when I sing this song and then pray for them, I hope with every part of my heart that my small words are seeds going deep into their hearts where they will grow into a love for God and His Kingdom that is greater than even their mother and father have known.
Dear Lord, May I not neglect the gift I have been given, and hide my true heart behind silence. May I not forget to pray and miss the opportunity to hear your voice, know you better, and know myself better in You. Thank you for hearing me and for caring for me. Show me my own heart so that I can live wholly for You. In Jesus name, Amen.
