"Can we talk?" Sometimes these words can make your hear skip a few beats. When a person feels the need to ask permission to communicate it usually means something serious is coming. So, when my 7 year old came to me saying, "Daddy, can I talk to you?" I felt a heart palpitation. Now, there is not much a 7 year old can do to get into serious trouble, but I still felt worry. Moreover, I was in the middle of cooking dinner and the other two kiddos were fighting over a toy in the background. However, instead of putting her off until dinner was finished, or reacting with worry, I simply scooped her up and sat her on the counter and said, "Let's talk." Tears started flowing and she told me about not having someone to play with at recess. To you or me that seems minor... but to her it was a BIG deal. So, I listened, I nodded, I got her a tissue, and I hugged her. That was it. No advice giving, no lectures. My hope is that this interaction teachers her that someday she can talk to me about boys, or what to do when friends are drinking, or how to say "no" when she needs to.
Today I had lunch with a good friend. We talked about how too many churches sell God as something far less than He is. Our God is not only Lord and creator, but He is also ready to listen to us at anytime. There is no topic too trivial and He is never too busy to listen. Moreover, He can empathize with us. Not just direct us, or admonish us, but empathize. That encourages me to go to Him with my issues more and more.
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