The beginning of communication. The formation of words. Beyond the coos and sounds. Her brain, her mouth are trying fervently to form words. 

It’s a new game we play. She points to a picture in one of her books and I say the word. Flower, Butterfly, water, bridge…on and on. She repeats to the best her brain and mouth can produce. She holds up a piece of play food and again a similar story. Sometimes she gets the words right. Other times very close. And still, others are way off. That is okay. She is learning. Growing. Discovering how to communicate with me, her dad, and others. 

One particular example makes me smile. Daily, multiple times a day, in fact, she holds up the play grapes. I say, “Grapes.” 

Excitedly she proclaims, “Be!” 

I say it again, “Grapes.” 

Still what escapes her lips, “Be!”  She hears grapes and knows that is what it is yet the word to her is “Be.” 

This morning my husband connected this concept spiritually for me. Communication. It is a part of our walk with God. We are often good at talking to him. The struggle comes in listening. In hearing from God. How is my daughter learning to communicate with us? By listening and repeating. Sometimes she gets is wrong. She makes mistakes however she is still learning. Is it not similar in our communication with God? Does it not take practice? Practice in the area of listening and repeating. 

Yes, we will make mistakes along the way. We will fail to listen or hear “Be” instead of “Grapes.” Even in the mistakes, we are still growing. Still learning how to hear from our Creator.

Don’t give up. I sure don’t want my daughter to throw in the towel with communication. I want to continue to grow in our communication. And God,  He wants the same with you. God both wants to hear from you and have you listen close too. 

 

John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ESV

1 Corinthians 1:9  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ESV

Proverbs 2:1-5 My child, listen to what I say,
    and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
    and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
    and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
    seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
    and you will gain knowledge of God. NLT