Both of the boys celebrated birthdays recently. Their birthdays are 15 days apart. It certainly makes for an interesting November, when you add in Thanksgiving and my mom's birthday as well. November ends up being a feasting and party month! No wonder I can never fit into that great Christmas outfit!
We went shopping with Matthew's birthday money. He got to pick out some cool toys and some great shoes and a new pack of socks. Normally, I would just buy whatever hits me at the moment, but I wanted him to learn how to make decisions on what he would like.
Karl likes ankle socks. Michael likes long socks. Both of them hate tube socks. So, what was Matthew's emerging preferences? I asked him what kind of socks he would like to get. His answer was simple. I want socks that squeeze my feet, so they don't fall off.
Matthew does have some socks that really need to disappear, but they are favorites. They are old and worn out and loose fitting from being stretched out so much, yet he still wears them. I'm slowly removing these unworthy items from his drawers, favorites or not. But he knew enough to know he wanted tight fitting socks. Socks that squeezed his feet, so they wouldn't fall off.
The words were precious. The lesson even better. Matthew was speaking from his heart. He didn't know how to say I want tight fitting socks, but he knew how to say he wanted socks that squeezed his feet. In his 5 year old honesty and sincerity, he got his message across.
Sometimes, I think we don't talk to God enough, because we are afraid of saying things like, I want socks that squeeze my feet. Somehow we've been brainwashed to think that if we don't use "thee's and thou's" in our prayers that we aren't praying properly. I'm all for reverance, don't get me wrong, but God doesn't want us to rend our garments, He wants us to rend our hearts. Look it up!
So, I'm going to take a lesson from my 5 year old. The next time I want to tell God something really important to me, I'm just going to say it how I feel it, even if it's not King James English or whatever. God understands me. He created me. He'd much rather me talk to Him, than try to learn how to speak in a way that is not natural for me.
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11 comments:
Beautiful, Sharon. Of course, the old verse always fits, "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, Thou hast perfected praise." Also, there's the verse that fits, "I desired mercy and not sacrifice." He wants our genuine, natural desires of our heart. I really don't see how the thee's and thou's in prayer make it any more reverent. Especially when "our need speaks most eloquently in our behalf."
Thanks for sharing that experience. A real gem. I should call you Rose of Sharing.
Hi Sharon,
I love that story...that is too cute!
It's good to have the neat things our kids say documented. It's always so fun to go back and remember and get a good chuckle!
Merry Christmas! Doreen
Thanks David and Doreen.
Sometimes I think God gives us children so they can "raise us" in growing up into Christ.
I agree.
Since I act like a 5 year old, this should be no problem for me, right?
LOL squeeze my feet...how cute is that!
Sharon I have a question for you....Rob...the guy I am dating is researching the SDA faith and I've been telling him about the 27 fundmental beliefs...he pulls up our website and there are now 28 fundmental beliefs....when did that change and which one did they add?
This is a really cute little example of how we can relate to God. Thanks for sharing. :o)
Your posts are always uplifting, not emotionally complicated, yet hold such deep spiritual meaning. I don't visit often, but when I do, it's a true blessing. Thank you.
I don't like the King James version for that reason. The thees and thous and all the other obsolete language gets to me. This is how they talked during the 1500s and 1600s. Why isn't it OK to dispense with the way they talked then and just talk the way we do now, both in scripture reading and in how we pray?
It bothers me to think that it is more holy to talk like they did during King James'reign in England. Those leaders were not very godly. they were barbaric and sexually sinful. Look at the Henry the 8th stories. Ugh.
Deb,
I sent you an email about your question and I'll try to post something about it eventually on my blog.
Kev,
Jesus said you had to have the faith of a little child. Sometimes we need the joy as well!
Gabrielle,
I have problems with the KJV at times too, but neither do I totally dismiss it. Different versions for different needs. But I do really hate hearing children learn the verse 'suffer the little children to come unto me' as most kids don't know what that means.
Awesome story of innocence. If only we could all be more like this. Thanks for sharing!
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