September 18, 2007

“Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger. ” Psalm 8:2

As I pondered these words, I wondered to myself, how often do we as parents miss what our little ones are trying to say? And how many times do they have to repeat the gurgles, coos and sounds before we respond correctly?

I started by thinking about my second son, Donovan, who at birth scowled as the photographer snapped pictures of him and who, while in the nursery, as the nurse picked him up to afford his grandparents the opportunity to know who he was….yelled to the top of his lungs (in baby language) “leave me alone!” 🙂

What’s wrong with this child, I thought to myself? Afterall, my first son, had such a calmness about him at birth and even smiled for the photographer.  Weren’t all babies suppose to be like CJ?  Much to my surprise, something was definitely different about this one. Maybe, it was the fact that my darling hubby named him after a boxer. Or could it have been that meal I ate for lunch causing him to be both gassy and bit cranky?

Needless, to say this child was one filled with many words. He was that child who threw tantrums when he didn’t get his way. He was that child who yelled at the top of his lungs as his body went limp because he didn’t want to leave the store until his request had been filled. He was that child, who while on punishment (time-out) would keep coming back out of the room until he wore you down.

Persistence and determination had already taken residence in this two year-old.  Strong-will and courage were just beginning to attach themselves to the character of this little lion cub of ours, too.  Lord, I can clearly see that Proverbs 13:24 will definitely be in affect alot sooner than I hoped. Lol!!!

And yet, he was that child who had a heart of compassion.  No matter the situation or time of day, I could always count on Don to come wrap his little arms around my neck as he uttered those wonderful four little words…”I love you, Mommy!”

One evening, my husband and I were headed home, so we decided to walk until the bus arrived. Donovan, was enjoying his ride in the stroller at this time. Approaching us, however, was a homeless man who had his hand out and asked if we could give him a dollar. Like most times, I was skeptical as to whether this beggar was sincere or not. I shared this uncomfortable feeling with my husband and we told the man that we didn’t have it. Either we were delirously tired or feeling an enormous amount of guilt because from underneath the stoller canopy we heard “give him food stamps, mommy.”  My husband and I looked at each other in horror.  Who said that? How did this child know that I had food stamps in my pocket? Even more so what in the world does a toddler know about sharing? 🙂  From that day on, I knew there was something special about this little mouthy tike!

Don has since grown up and is still conitnuing to use the words that the LORD gives him as a tool of encouragement to others. See for yourself at www.myspace.com/dapreacha16

Peace and blessings!