What does a horse say?
What does a goat say?
What does a cow say?
I remember asking my 3 year-old daughter those questions and she looked at me like I was speaking Chinese.
That is a small detail in teaching a kid about the world that I totally missed.
I had failed as mom.
I had failed as human.
I was totally shocked that I had forgotten to teach her the basic animal sounds.
My child does not know what a horse, goat or duck says?
What in the world?
How did I forget this small detail?
Let me tell you how I missed this. I got distracted. I became passive in my parenting. I also was tired because her older three siblings might have depleted the life out of me at this point. I also took it for granted that she would just figure it out or pick it up. You know on the toddler streets? I forgot to instruct. I got so carried away with the three kids above her I forgot to come back to her level and teach her basic farm and zoo noises.
Jennifer Morgan, M.S., CCC-SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) shares on the podcast today how we can better see developmental norms with our kids, grandkids and friends kids. She encourages us to be advocates for our kids and our friends' kids. We hope you enjoy listening to her insights and information on the podcast.
So after I realized that Gentry had no idea about animals, I might have done some other checks like let’s make sure you know your alphabet, numbers and oh by the way, what is my name?
After I got over my embarrassment I started the repetition and reintroduction until she got it. But have you had that moment where you were like, “whoa how did I miss that milestone in life? How did I not learn that?
What about the notion of growing up in church but not knowing things in the bible?
I feel like we can all relate.
This past weekend Dr. Richard Ross came to our church and spoke and it was amazing. You can listen here. His sermon at church was on point. I am still contemplating his point about the three groups, the searching (the lost), the converts (*know* Jesus, but the important thing right now to me is ME) and the disciples (The preoccupation of my life is Jesus).
He went through and defined each one and made some good points about each but he said God never intended for there to be a converts group.
Stop the record player. Halt the paint on the walls.
Jesus came and asked people to follow Him. Drop what you are doing and follow, be his disciples, his followers, his apostles. He never intended for this stage, “converts” to be there. He wanted us to go from lost and searching to believing and soaring. Jesus calls us to speak, teach, preach and proclaim God’s Good News to our people.
Recently I have become more intrigued with one of the 7 churches John writes about in Revelation. The church of Laodicea in Revelations 3:14-22. Honestly I am more than intrigued, I am slightly consumed with the insight we can gain from this church. It offers hope and a charge to do better.
John calls them to stop being lukewarm, they are not palatable. They are neither hot nor cold so God will spit them out of His mouth. God calls us to be extreme, either hot or cold for him. To be His disciple is to be known by our love (Jn 13:35). It goes on to say the church lives as though they think they are rich, have prospered and need nothing. Haven’t we all gotten caught up in this mentality. It is almost like they are unexpressionate, blankless, superficial, indifferent, not concerned, passive. They are perfectly happy with their current state of finances, work, family life, etc…
In reality, John continues to write and remind them they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. Reminiscent of what? Adam and Eve in the garden. In their fallen sinful state.
As God calls out their sin. Their superficial living, their lack of dedication to Him and the church he says something tender and sweet. He says, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in to him and eat with him and he with me. The one who conquers I will grant him to sit with me on my throne as I also conquered and sat down with my father on his throne.”
In closing, even when you feel like you have failed your kids by not teaching them God’s word (or farm and zoo animals) we have ears, so let’s use them to hear what the Spirit says to us today, the church.
Have a great Weds! Be Great for God and His Kingdom! Don’t forget the Small DETAILS!
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