You Don't Make Any Sense!

You Don't Make Any Sense!
Lessons from a 3-year old (part 1): 

This could become an endless series (at least until my daughter turns 4, and then I suppose it would change). 

I have two children, but lately our 3-year-old daughter has been saying some profound things. 

Here's how a recent conversation went (almost verbatim):

"Hey Lizzie, did you sleep good?"

(in a very serious and stern tone) "Yes. Because you had the microphone and wouldn't stop running because you needed a spanking and I told you "stand still" and because I needed a snack and then you wouldn't get back into bed and give me the microphone for I need to get my pajamas and then get a spanking and that's how I don't make any sense!"

(fighting back laughter) "Well, Lizzie, that's interesting! And you're right, you don't make any sense!"

And so goes many conversations in our house as our daughter learns new words and sometime later learns what they mean and how to put them together in a coherent sentence. 

I am forever telling her "You don't make any sense." (It all started from a line in the movie "Rio" and has stuck with us, because it rings true for most of what she says.)

Proverbs 29:20 says:

Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Ouch. Now, before you miss the point and accuse me of calling my 3-year old a "fool," let me explain a bit. We all know someone who loves to hear themselves talk. Maybe that person is you. The Bible has much to say about the power of words: 

• Prov. 18:21 - The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
• Matthew 15:18 - But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
• Eph. 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
• James 1:19 - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
• Proverbs 21:23 - Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

Lizzie often finds herself rambling on and on and saying absolutely nothing. We have to keep watch on our words or we will find ourselves doing the same. 

We talk about many things in a day. We use somewhere between 7,000-20,000 words a day on average. How many of them have worth, eternal, life-giving worth? How many of them are wasted on meaningless drivel!

Our words have the power of life and death. What are you using yours for?