Yackey yack yack...

What are we saying in our everyday lingo to our kids? We talk to them in a discussion, sitting them down explaining them something. There is instructional talk, giving them directions eg. obey (most common word around our house anyway!). But Deuteronomy 6 tells us to have everyday talk... when I read this passage, I first thought "of course I do that". When there is a thunderstorm, I tell my daughter that God sends us storms to help the flowers grow. When she freaks out about bugs, I tell her that God created every living thing, and that each one has  purpose and job.... But do I break it down more than that? Do I take time to be an example? (more than just keeping my language clean, reigning in my occasional road rage, etc)

So I took a few days to evaluate my attitude and actions.... CRAP!!!! IF GOD HAD A STICK, HE WOULD BE WHOPPIN ME WITH IT!!

Talking to our kids should be more than prayer time, when they are frightened, and ... its minute by minute. I fail, everyday.

Everyday talk can be used as a weapon. To allow His commands to be in our hearts - they must dominate our thinking and overflow from our hearts and into the lives of our kids... Which leads to the question of: what kinds of thoughts live long enough in our hearts to take up residence there - that you just can't stop thinking about them? Is it your favorite sports team, a movie you want to see, a pair of killer shoes on sale? Or is negative thoughts about how someone did you wrong, how unfair your life is? We are called to a higher standard! What bears in/on our hearts is what automatically comes out of our mouths and portrayed by our actions.

Lasting impressions can't be made over dinnertime prayers. So talking about the weather with the kids is a great way to talk about God.... but what other ways can I share with them in that given event? Talk about all types of weather... tell her stories from the bible - Jesus calmed the seas - and even walked on water! (um, hello kami, where was your head? - probably a little frustrated that they were all over me whining about the thunderstorm which lead me to stop doing what I was doing at the time.... SELFISH!!!)

We as parents have an example to set. Unguarded words from our mouths present a powerful view of God to our children. Casual words forcefully instruct our children about God - for good and bad. Our lack in judgement about how we feel when something doesnt go our way, communicates to our kids just how well we think Jesus Christ is. We are complaining about His decisions. Who are we pleasing? Who's cheering us on? NOT the Holy Spirit! We only have so many words, so many minutes to show God's truth to our kids. God wants us to make them ALL count. They need to hear God's truths spoken with love and awe by parents following God's instruction.

Our interaction with God in everyday, ordinary, non-church life is the most powerful tool of influence we have with our children. It communicates what we REALLY believe. Our delivery of Gods Word should be presented with a happy pleasant spirit... these words spoken  correctly will make them attractive. Dont just throw Gods Word at them. Present it with love and care. The book gives an example of fine jewelry - if Bryan would have proposed to me by flinging my ring at me, and saying all the right words, but with the wrong tone behind it, and flying out the door - I can tell you right now I probably wouldnt be sitting here today worrying about how to show God to my kids, thats for sure!! Because more often than not, we hurl Gods Word at our kids in the heat of a battle, propelled by frustration and anger.

Jesus even used everyday talk to teach His diciples. He used every event and non-event to talk to them. He used a fig tree, a sparrow, a kernel of wheat, foxes, wine, camels, gates, highways, pearls, mustard seeds, the hair on your head, money, the weather, etc.

Talking about God isnt hard or complicated, but it does require time and preparation. If we dont spend time THINKING about God, we wont have alot to SAY about Him.  We arent the only ones talking to our kids. Its amazing to hear the statistics on how much time your children spend watching tv versus how much time we are truly talking and teaching them. If tv time is outweighing talk time - who is winning the influence battle?? It doesnt take R rated films to have an un-godly influence.

Anything that doesnt influence your child for god is an influence away from God. Jesus taught that whoever was not with Him was against Him.

We need to start realizing that everyday talk should be given as the most precious gifts, because it is! I pray that God will use this book so effectively that the everyday talk our children start hearing will lead them to Christ! And that our responses, even to something like unexpected rain, will lead to praising God.


 What do you think your everyday talk reveals about your priorities and your worldview?
 Make a list of 25 ordinary events or things that you could use for everyday talk about God.
 When do you have everyday talk with your children?
 What opportunities do you have to increase or improve your everyday talk?