I’ve always had an inclination to speak to people. My first speech in 7th grade English class was 30 minutes long, only halted by the ringing of the bell signaling the end of class. It was about Mount St. Helens. I wasn’t sure I’d reached the 7 minute time limit and so I just kept going sharing slides and stories I’d learned. My teacher didn’t stop me and so I shared and shared and shared. I must admit I was a little embarrassed to have spoken for so long and not realized it.
My second experience was 8th grade English. I won an award for best orator. I had no idea what an orator was. I wasn’t even really interested in the award. I had just picked a person whose story I fell in love and couldn’t wait to tell others the story. This one was not 30 minutes long. It was a carefully written, memorized and crafted story on Christopher Latham Sholes, the inventor of the typewriter. He transformed secretarial work across the country and impacted the way we write and share that writing with others for decades to come.
As you can see, those first two speeches made an impression on me. It lead to 4 years of high school forensics and two years of college forensics plus time volunteering at local speech competitions when I became a teacher. Speaking of which, teaching was a natural extension of that love of speaking. Though it is much harder to engage an audience that wasn’t sure they were even interested in what you have to say.
Words have always been easy. It has been learning the importance of the absence of words that has been the challenge. Especially as a parent I have to learn when to speak and when to say the bare minimum and when to say nothing at all. And when I do speak to speak with grace and love and firmness. It has required me be submissive to the Holy Spirit when I speak. It has taken practice to listen every moment to the Spirit inside me. Now before you get any idea about me having some super spirituality, please know that I struggle on a daily basis, multiple times a day to continue this practice. Some days I am very submitted. Other days, I’m, well, less submitted. As James says, the tongue is like a rudder. Some days I get very off course.
It’s a good thing God is so much bigger than my broken flesh. There are many times when something comes out of my mouth that is definitely not of my own wisdom or knowledge. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit comes out of my mouth. That is just what happened the other day.
My boys are learning to share. That 17 month difference means they have lots and lots of opportunities to learn it. Just the other month the youngest had a birthday and received some toys that older boy also fell in love with. It has been an interesting couple months teaching him about ownership and sharing. And it has been an interesting couple of months teaching the youngest about sharing and ownership.
It was in one of those moments that I was teaching the youngest about sharing that out popped a poignant truth about life. A truth I’m still mulling over myself.
“Buddy, sharing strengthens our hearts for kindness.”
Wow! I can tell you that was not out of my wisdom. But yeah, it does, doesn’t it!? Sharing keeps us focused on the right thing. It’s not about the toy or thing. It’s about what we can enjoy with those around us. It reminds us that people and relationships are more important than things or stuff. It is the basis for generosity and compassion. It really focuses the love in our hearts to the right target, people. It trains us in the image and likeness of God.
It’s a truth I may post somewhere in our home. And one that I am still in awe of. Even writing this post has me thinking of it’s simplicity and depth. Thank you Father for this moment meant to teach both momma and child!
Be blessed, my friends!
LWF
Lady Worship Fingers 