Have you ever rested and watch children interact? I mean really hear what they are saying, absorb their little body language. The more I watch my daughters the more I see ways I can learn from them.
They are just two and a half years and eight months however they are just beginning to bloom in the world of communication. They are on a road of discovery. Often as adults, we think we know how to communicate, but do we really?
Are we really communicating effectively?
Children learn ways of interacting from those they are around the most. Parents, grandparents, peers, teachers, etc. They mimic what they see and hear. Who are you mimicking? Are your communication skills coming from the latest TV show or are they being developed by God and His living Word?
Today, as I drove my mom mobile to the grocery store I was listening to the little voices in the back seat. One was screaming at the top of her lungs. Obviously not excited about being stuck down by the back straps. While she carried on her older sister looks over at her and I hear, “J just go to sleep.” I found this to be sweet, funny and telling.
My two year old was mimicking what she has heard. However, she was also trying to give advice to her little sister. She was giving her a little nugget that would help us all on that ride to the grocery store.
Are we too distracted by “our worlds” to see an other’s need? Are we too busy to share a little nugget with the ones God places in our path?
Pulling into the driveway all I can think about is how full my bladder is. After a several hour journey, I am filled to the brim and ready to let loss the waterfall.
Getting the girls inside I place the baby on the floor in front of one of those learning to walk push toys with all the fancy buttons for music and sounds. With her situated, I dart into the bathroom. As the seemingly never-ending waterfall flows I hear crying in the other room.
I yell through the open door (what mom ever gets the chance to pee behind closed doors!) “did your sister fall over?”
“Yeah!” My two-year-old shouts back.
Finishing my duty I enter the room to find the two-year-old kneeling beside the baby saying, “it’s okay. It’s okay!”
Seems like good advice for her screaming startled sister as they both wait for mommy to come help. However, the toy covered the baby from her chest down. Apparently, when she toppled over she took the toy with her.
While the 2-year-old tried to help with words actions would have all been appropriate in this situation. A little help. Hands reaching out and lifting the toy off her body.
Have we as adults been in this situation? Have we seen a need and only provide some nice words? Using Christian cliches. Maybe even the good Word. And yet the person laying before us needed more. Needed a hand. An act of love.
Be alert today. See the needs. Reach a hand in the name of Christ and act in love, His amazing love.
John 15:12-13 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. NLT
Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. NIV
