Lessons from a Toddler
As a parent of a 3 year old, I am regularly encouraging my son, Timmy, to say "please" and "thank-you" as well as teaching him how to say "sorry" when he has hurt another child. Teaching these three simple phrases is a time consuming but worthwhile endeavour for every parent and caregiver as they lay the foundation for good relationships throughout our life.
Recently I considered how we need to learn to say these things to God not just to people.
Please: Saying "please" to God is the essence of petition. We ask God for what we want, for what we need, for what we believe others want or need, and we are always aware that God is free to do His will. I remember when I finally clued in that "please" was NOT some magic word to make someone do something but quite the opposite. Saying please means "if you please". It respects the other persons freedom to act according to their choice. God is the Lord of all and we can freely bring our requests to Him trusting Him to answer according to His wisdom and love.
Thank-you: Gratitude acknowledges that all we have are gifts from God. Throughout scripture we are exhorted to give thanks and given numerous opportunities to join in with thanksgiving prayers. Saying "thank-you" is a humbling experience as we have to admit that we are needy but it can also be an exhilarating experience as we acknowledge the blessings we have received.
Sorry: Often kids go through the motions of saying "sorry" and "that's ok" and it really bugs me. It's not okay that Suzy punched Billy or that Maddie had her favorite painting wreaked by Tristan. Violence and destruction - even in nursery school - as symptoms of the fall. Saying "sorry" means that we are experiencing sorrow over what we have done and don't ever want to do that again. It is confession and repentance mixed together. When we say "sorry" to God, we are acknowledging that what we have done is not ok and that we need forgiveness and the Holy Spirit to help us to change.
It's interesting that we learn to say these things as toddler but we never out grow their use. This is the same with our relationship to God. Whether we have only recently learned to trust Him or have walked with Him for many, many years, we daily say "please", "thank-you", and "sorry".
Recently I considered how we need to learn to say these things to God not just to people.
Please: Saying "please" to God is the essence of petition. We ask God for what we want, for what we need, for what we believe others want or need, and we are always aware that God is free to do His will. I remember when I finally clued in that "please" was NOT some magic word to make someone do something but quite the opposite. Saying please means "if you please". It respects the other persons freedom to act according to their choice. God is the Lord of all and we can freely bring our requests to Him trusting Him to answer according to His wisdom and love.
Thank-you: Gratitude acknowledges that all we have are gifts from God. Throughout scripture we are exhorted to give thanks and given numerous opportunities to join in with thanksgiving prayers. Saying "thank-you" is a humbling experience as we have to admit that we are needy but it can also be an exhilarating experience as we acknowledge the blessings we have received.
Sorry: Often kids go through the motions of saying "sorry" and "that's ok" and it really bugs me. It's not okay that Suzy punched Billy or that Maddie had her favorite painting wreaked by Tristan. Violence and destruction - even in nursery school - as symptoms of the fall. Saying "sorry" means that we are experiencing sorrow over what we have done and don't ever want to do that again. It is confession and repentance mixed together. When we say "sorry" to God, we are acknowledging that what we have done is not ok and that we need forgiveness and the Holy Spirit to help us to change.
It's interesting that we learn to say these things as toddler but we never out grow their use. This is the same with our relationship to God. Whether we have only recently learned to trust Him or have walked with Him for many, many years, we daily say "please", "thank-you", and "sorry".
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