Yesterday, in looking back at Deuteronomy 6:7 we kicked
around what drives our talk and what our kids learn from what we talk
about. Looking at that word, “talk,” a
little closer may give us some direction.
It is an interesting exercise to look up the definitions for word you
already know. For “talk” the first
definition I found was, to communicate or exchange ideas, information, etc., by
speaking: to talk about poetry.”
The synonym, communicate, here and the notion of exchange of
ideas was interesting. It seems to
indicate a dialog rather than a monolog.
That is we engage in a conversation rather than a lecture. It seems like rather than talking to, or
talking down to, we are talking with our children, at their level of understanding. The challenge for anyone is that knows
something well, is to talk at the appropriate level to the one to whom they are
conversing. That requires two things, a
great grasp of the subject, and a great love for the individual with whom one
is talking.
The love for the individual drives one to listen carefully
in order to appropriately share what one knows in a way that draws them closer
to the Lord. It is a tough
assignment. It is one we as dads have
been given not by the Christian community but by the Lord.
For those of us with our children out on their own this is especially timely as we approach the Christmas celebration. Our four with spouses and children all plan to be here this year, the first in several. How can we make the best use of it?
ReplyDeleteFor one thing, probably not by an abundance of words. The key you bring out, Mike, is to communicate. A couple of important ideas, communicated are better than "the shouting of a ruler among fools!" How easy for us who care deeply that our children "get it!" To talk "at," not with, to fail to engage them in what's important to them.
I doubt that there is any skill, experience level, knowledge that is not stretched to the limit in this process. Fortunately we have all the resources of the Holy Spirit to rely on.
Apparently you listened to me earlier, as THIS post indicts me so well. Ouch, at least I'm glad you didn't call me out by name. Well said
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