mindaTHINK: Babbling

We have a babbling problem in our house. A sweet little eight year old opens his eyes and his mouth first thing in the morning and neither are shut again until after bedtime. I'm a person who appreciates peace and quiet and I married a guy who feels the same. (Married him 12 years ago yesterday by the way, but we are pretending is in a month so that we can celebrate better, rough times right now...)

This morning was in no way different than any other. I awoke at 7:30am to hear him already chattering away in his room (alone) and as soon as I emerged he flew to me like a bottle fly and started buzzing around me. I can't tell you the first part of his monologue, because my brain wasn't awake yet. I can tell you I hadn't been up 5 minutes when he asked, "Can you make me breakfast?" "Yes" was my response. A minute later he asked, "When will you make my breakfast?" and I immediately responded, "I will make you pancakes in a little bit" His little bit being 15 seconds later he queried, "Are you making my breakfast yet? I like cereal!" I countered with "I am making you pancakes, but not yet"

Within half an hour of waking up I was in the kitchen making pancakes and listening to my morning Daily Audio Bible installment (I'm behind so I'm only in mid Feb right now) The reading was in Exodus, the ignoble account of how the people behaved when Moses went up to the mountain to talk to God. Hate that account. Perhaps it rings too true for me.

Anyway, WHILE I was making the pancakes the chatter about the pancakes continued...would I use the strawberry syrup, was that the good pancake recipe that was the best ever, how many can I have...

Think harshly of me if you will, but I sent him to his room. Its so much better than child abuse!

In the relative peace that ensued (I could still hear him talking in his room) something occurred to me.

Matthew 6:7 "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard for their many words"

God is my Father. And when I, His child talk to him I think sometimes, maybe even often, there is alot of chatter. Perhaps because when God says yes to me His timing feels different than what I desire. Perhaps because I can't hear His answer because I'm chattering. Perhaps because I just like to hear the sound of my voice. Or perhaps because like the pagans, and for some reason like my son, I think that I "will be better heard for my many words."

I wonder if God ever wants to send me to my room.

A few weeks ago a friend prayed that I receive healing from my past, which she saw was holding me back. Almost unconsciously I've been since seeking my past, searching for the shreds of the wound that never healed. One of the pasts I found was a friend named Judith. On her blog in August last year she commented on her feelings after the 35W bridge collapse. She talked of the many things in our life that we take for granted, that we have faith will be there to hold up the pieces of our life. I mean who ever prayed "Dear Lord, please keep all bridges I cross today standing" ?

Andrew was always going to get those pancakes. He knows this from over eight years of consistently getting fed (or being sent to make his own breakfast!) that he will get what he needs. And yet he babbles.

I know that God will provide. Mainly because the Holy Spirit infuses me with a faith that I as a mere mortal could not whomp up on my own. Partially because I can bear witness to the many times God has provided for and protected me, all ill deserved. And also because of the promises recorded in the Bible, such as

Matthew 7:7-11 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. For what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"

And yet sometimes I still babble.