Use your words!

"Use your words!!" Bug's command followed Boo's loud screech.

Boo gathered his thoughts and shouted back, "Don't DO that!!"

My three year old has an extensive vocabulary and expresses himself very clearly for his age, but when he gets emotional he seems to forget that he can speak for himself. Instead we are regaled with a variety of screams, screeching and other forms of self-expression.

I've tried to reason with him, calm him, and so forth in those moments, but I often forget to tell him to slow down and "use your words." I can't fix the situation for him until I can actually understand what he needs.

We do the same thing with God. Life throws us a curve-ball and we throw a fit, figuratively (or literally) stomping around, making sure it's clear we aren't happy but never really expressing the trouble.

Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you." (Luke 11:9) We have a heavenly Father who wants to meet our needs, but sometimes He wants us to stop screeching and just say it.

Something new is coming to RefreshMoments! Stop by on Tuesday, March 10 and find a new way to connect with others in blogdom and give them an opportunity to find you as well. I'll be hosting my first give-away too!

4 comments:

phil said...

Good advice, particularly given the context of anger and frustration. But sometimes, words will fail us.

Last night our 6 year-old granddaughter shifted in her chair at the dinner table, slipped, and fell splat on her back. For most kids this is no big deal, but given her extreme motion sensitivity it's really scary. In fact, having observed her in other uncontrolled falls, and her inability to describe what it makes her feel like, I think she is completely terrified.

I can think of situations where I would be completely overwhelmed and without words. I'm sure you can too. Thank God for the provision described in Romans 8:26 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

RefreshMom said...

Good point Phil. Yes, it is good to know He knows our hearts even when we don't have the words to express it.

Terra said...

I appreciated your post on TWV, which I read today, and now see that you love tea and a good teapot, like me, so I am saying "hi".
Fellow writer and pilgrim,
Terra

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Use your words...

Now that will preach, girlfriend! I'll try and remember to get back over here on the 10th.

peace~elaine

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