Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: TALKATIVE (09/08/16)
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TITLE: Our Garrulous Son | Previous Challenge Entry
By Christine Hammock
09/13/16 -
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Our son, Austin, was six months old when his coos turned to constant blabber. When he was a year old he jabbered non-stop. By the time he was three, he carried on a conversation with anyone who would listen.
The first week of public school we received a note from his teacher. Please impress upon Austin that he is too talkative in class.
In the third grade, his teacher informed us through a note that our son was a constant interruption in the reading class. The note read: We read the daily assignment together then I ask questions. Before I can call on a student to answer Austin quickly answers the questions. I’ve spoken to him but my corrections haven’t affected him. Please counsel him at home. Thank you.
That evening when Austin came in from school my husband and I sat down with him to discuss the note. To start this conversation I read the note and asked why he always answered before the teacher could select someone. He got a half smile on his face and said, “I know the answer why not answer it. Plus she always waits to call on me last and most of the time the others don’t give the right answer. It saves time because reading is just before recess and everyone is anxious to go to gym.” Austin had thought this through.
I nod toward my husband to correct our bright son. My husband paused, “Look at me son. I understand your reason but you must obey the teacher’s rules. I know you don’t like to wait but the teacher is the authority at school and you must do as she says. Do you understand me?”
By this time Austin had folded his arms over his chest with a frown on his face that registered his displeasure. My husband asked, “What do you have to say?”
Austin replied, “Dad, this is NOT easy, but I’ll do as you ask.”
We both let out a sigh of relief—problem solved.
Similar situations went on through elementary school but when he entered high school he seemed to mature. He could now “hold his tongue” and speak at the appropriate time. But he would not be denied. He was on the debate team his junior and senior year. He took part in the Arts Department where he participated in the theatre group’s performances and received the main character part many times. At church he filled in for our youth pastor; he never turned down an event where he could talk. When he entered college he signed up to be a Political Science major—he loved to talk.
His third year when he came home for Christmas he asked, “Can we discuss an issue that’s come up at school?”
My husband and I look at each other, both a little anxious. We had no idea what he was about to say.
Austin began to speak again, “Mom, Dad, I changed my major.”
His dad interrupted, “I thought you enjoyed Political Science.”
Austin shook his head no and began again, “I did until the Lord called me to work for Him.”
He then explained, “A Christian group I attend on campus asked me to lead their Bible study. This group is like a small church where we study and fellowship together each week. One night I was studying the text (Isaiah 6) for our next lesson. As I read verse 8 (Isaiah 6:8, NLT), ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for me?’ I thought my heart would beat out of my chest. I knew God spoke directly to me. When I read the last of the verse, ‘Here I am, send me’ it was like I’d spoke these words. I couldn’t say no to God Almighty. That night God called me to work for Him. All I asked for was that He make my calling clear.”
“Mom, Dad, forgive me for how I’ve always demonstrated my communicative personality with excessive talk. Now I know why I’m so extroverted. God planned all the time to use me to spread His gospel. Like He said to Isaiah (Verse 9), He also said to me, “Yes, Go.” I can hardly wait to experience the future God has planned for me.
We both had tears threating to spill over our eyelids.
“Mark 16:15, (NLT) is the mandate to all believers, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone.’”
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