“Mommy- I need your help. I want to talk fast.”
Somewhat distracted, but thinking how cute she is when she’s so serious about something, I reply, “Hmmm? What? What do you mean, Bethie? My brain began scrambling for an interpretation- does she mean she wants to talk without stuttering when she gets excited or does she mean she literally wants to talk fast?
“You know, I want to learn to talk fast like Leah.”
“Like Leah?” (still scratching the proverbial head) “Does Leah talk fast? I think you talk fast.”
“Yeah- she a fast talker about Bible and stuff- all… I want to talk fast about Bible and Math and Reading. I want to talk fast to my friends about cool stuff.”
I try to slowly clarify and break it down to make sure I understand.
“You mean you want to be able to think of things to say—-
so you can talk fast at school and when people are talking to you?”
Her smile is like the sun breaking through the clouds. With relief she says, “Y E S!”
Another wonderful teaching moment that some people are walkers, some are bikers and some ride motorcycles, and then there’s Nascar racing in a class all by itself. Moses, himself, claimed to be “slow of speech”, not knowing what to say. That, however, didn’t change God’s opinion and ASSIGNMENT for His life.
On some level, I can relate. I remember being frustrated when I was in my third year of taking German. I could comprehend what I read but quickly became lost in a conversation. The words seemed to be faster than a speeding bullet and my mind struggled to grasp what they were talking about, only to be left behind as a new thought was introduced. 🙂 I’ve also felt awkward and tongue tied when people were talking about something I didn’t know much about. But conversational fluency comes with practice and repetition, so I smiled and said, “Well, Beth, I think we could practice talking fast.”
“We can, Mommy?!”
“I think so. Let’s make a game out of it and we’ll pretend we’re just meeting and we’ll pick what you want to talk about.”
Many giggles, “I don’t think I cans” and hilarious conversational tries later, we collapsed on her bed. I hope to give her more and better opportunities to learn to express herself and stretch her skills as a conversationalist but I just can’t help remembering how little she used to say and how much she says now. The past has taught me this:
God has faithfully brought us down this road so far- and no way we’re done with this journey! I can hardly wait to see what’s up ahead! We don’t have to learn to talk a mile a minute- we just have to learn to use our words to bless and encourage others.
Surprising Treasure: In the Beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God! John 1:1
Dear Cindy – God gives you just the right things to say, both here and to Bethany. “…I think we could practice….” is perfect! Reminds me of my preacher papa (who was first a teacher). VBS was such fun for us with him in charge. I remember him telling us “Now, pretend I’m an old bum you see on the street and try telling me about Jesus.” It was rather scarey, but hilarious at the same time. So, I can really imagine what a delightful time you and Bethany must be having, too! I wish I were a little mouse in the corner 🙂
Dear Edy- I love it! “Pretend I’m an old bum”- lol- you’ve given me a hundred ideas in that one comment. 🙂 It really is about taking moments and making them opportunities for growth and learning eh?
It didn’t hurt a bit that Dad had a theatrical bent and was crazy about the latest technology (at the time!). He wrote little scripts for the kids to act out into a microphone (as if they were “on the radio”) while he taped the “play” for them to hear themselves. He had no problem keeping our attention, for sure! 🙂
how fun! Can you imagine what he would do with video cameras and ipads and special effects now?! 🙂
🙂
“God has faithfully brought us down this road so far- and no way we’re done with this journey! I can hardly wait to see what’s up ahead! We don’t have to learn to talk a mile a minute- we just have to learn to use our words to bless and encourage others.”
Cindy, I am going to borrow this quote for a Facebook post, if you don’t mind. What tremendous words & perspective for ALL of us.
Am feeling my age, and heard a quote last night (uncited) that 68% of us believe our best years are behind us! So I guess I’m not alone–but He really isn’t done with me yet!
Blessings to you & Bethie & talking fast!
Hugs Cecilia- Wow- that quote is astounding- It seems to me we’re just getting to the place of yieldedness that He might be able to use us LOL- I know I can feel that way too! The enemy of our souls would just love to stop our growth and service to God- Keep walkin- sistah!
Wow Cindy! Once again memories!!I talk fast to this day, but when I was little, I tried to talk but with 4 other siblings, it was impossible to get your thoughts out if you didnt talk fast because someone else always beat you to it. I can remember crying in frustration because I couldnt talk fast enough and with a very wise mother..we had our secret alone time so I could relate to her my thoughts…I would practice in front of the mirror and have pretend conversations…and how happy I was when one day I got out my thoughts before anyone could interrupt me. I have now the bad habit of talking too fast all the time. But you and Beth sure brought back memories and how Moms can make you feel so good.
Char- you have me smiling! Your mom sounds wonderful and wise! You grew up nicely into your conversational skills 🙂 miss you.
Hmmm. My preaching evaluations say, “Slow down! Sometimes your sermons are like a ‘fire hose on steroids’ or a ‘housefly with ADD’.” So as I practice slowing down, I am committed to taking time to listen and help Bethany increase her conversational ability. She is twelve years old. I think we all know how important words are to adolescent girls! I love Bethany so much. I want her to be a part of conversations. More importantly, I want her to be able to share her life with Jesus freely and clearly to her friends.
[…] and I are still working on “talking fast” (see previous post) Days of practicing is opening my eyes to the MAMMOTH task set before us. I didn’t realize […]