3 Lessons Learnt From My Toddler
Anyone who has parented a toddler knows it’s a time in a little human’s life that can be intense and rewarding all at the same time. They can both charm you and wear you out simultaneously! And I can’t forget to mention how long they can hold full body plank while you’re trying to squeeze them into the car seat!
For a toddler feelings are big, wants immediate, snacks never enough and displays of love unconditional. Somewhere in between, you as a parent have a nanosecond to reflect that this little human is a full on person themselves ready to teach you, if only you pay attention.
I learnt how to worship
One of things I learned from my toddler took exactly a moment to sink in. The expression of our worship to God can be spontaneous with no uneasiness. Us adults need to put time aside to read the Word and pray as we have habituated. That routine can easily become dusty and rehearsed, which is not to discount discipline. Then there are the moments that call for a frantic run around the house shouting “Jesus”. Well, my toddler did that solely with a nappy on. Right there I want to be like my toddler. While there’s a time and place for a reverent tear in the eye, I want to remind myself that worshipping Jesus is not a performance or a calculated act.
I learnt I can change
Another thing she just taught me the other day was that tear-free baby shampoo doesn’t exist. There are always tears. Not because of the shampoo in the eye; but the bigger-than-she-can-handle toddler ego always gets unleashed while I try to wash her hair. So I decided to try something new. I showed her where her chin was, how she can raise it so her head tilts backwards and now the entirety of water flow doesn’t stream down her chubby, wailing face. She still moaned, but the operation was done much faster. What she taught me was that the most stubborn person can change. I know I can be locked into certain behaviours that I seem to be unable to change, but actually I can! Whatever tear-free baby shampoo represents in your life, be encouraged! If my toddler can learn a new way of behaving just like that, so can we.
I learnt how to seize opportunities
My toddler served the third lesson just yesterday. She is physically agile like a squirrel. So while running under the olive trees in our garden she spotted a low stump of chopped off trunk. She blinked her puppy eyes and I offered her a ride, to place her baby trainers on it - to be honest I juts thought she’d look cute! We smiled at each other. But then her face changed as she spotted one of the olive branches and realised this was the opportunity for an adventure! In a matter of seconds I lost her up the tree so high I could barely hold her ankle. She wanted to go higher and I wouldn’t let go. After an agonising standoff she was safely in my arms and I realised she had just seized the moment and made the most of it. Oh the times I’ve stood in the doorway of opportunity and procrastinated by having the need to think it over or pray about it. Nothing wrong with bringing
issues over to Jesus in prayer, but somewhere in your heart you already knew what to do when an opportunity appeared out of nowhere. Opportunity to connect with that person, to pass on an encouragement, to smile to that neighbour, to forgive that challenging co-worker. I want to squirrel up that tree trunk of opportunity so quick and so high that I don’t give myself space to hesitate; with a toddler smirk on my face, seizing the opportunities ahead.