A two-year-old, “T,” is on a Facetime call with his grandfather, “Tito.” Every time that Tito asks a question, without hesitation, “T” responds with an energy-filled answer, “No!” When asked. “Do you want to come visit with me for a couple of weeks?” “T” says, “No!” His response was accompanied by his smiling face, leaning toward the camera, as to make sure the point was heard clearly and that his point was made, definitely. Tito continues to ask a series of questions. Here are just a few. “Did you have a good day at school?” “Do you want to go to the zoo?” “Did you like your dinner?” “What is that you are playing with? What’s that toy in your hand?” All the responses were replicas of the first response, even in the case of that last question, where a “Yes” or a “No” was not an appropriate response. Yes, every single time “T” said, “No!”
It seemed by the way that “T’s” volume increased gradually with each answer that he had some academic, preschool level training in music, and the crescendo effect was taught and learned. If not, perhaps, he went to a toddler class on public speaking where the children were trained on how to reach the highest peak of intensity and force, for the purpose of making a climatic point! “No!” “No!” “No!” “No!”
Enough about “T,” let me tale to “U.” I mean “you.” My prayer for you, is that when the Holy Spirit speaks to you and guides you to behave in a certain way today, or speak kindly and gently, whether it be with you family, friends, or fairly new acquaintances, that your answer to Him will not be “No!” Listen to Him! He will Help you respond appropriately in your tone, the rate of speed in your speaking, and even your associated body language. Listen to Him and say, “Yes.” Have a great day! Be blessed!
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
I love this meditation story about “T” and grandfather, Tito. It does create a pause to consider why so many times we say no without thinking about the negative impact that response can have on God’s plans for you. Before I respond to questions that arise within my spirit, I will need to remember that the Lord has special plans for me. I won’t know what God is doing until He’s done. I need to pray for the right response and allow the Spirit of Truth guide me.
Do you remember the song they used to sing, “Yes, Lord! Yes, Lord! from the top of my head to the sole of my feet, yes, Lord. completely yes, my soul says, ‘YES!” Thanks again for your response! Be blessed!