Out of the Mouth of Babes
Out of the Mouth of Babes . . . Psalm 8:2
The dictionary defines “babe” as 1. a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk, or 2. (slang) sometimes used as a term of address for attractive young women.
Neither definition of babe applies in this post.
According to Scripture, Spiritual Babes
In Psalm 8, the psalmist addressing the LORD wrote, “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength . . .” (KJV).
Those words also mean God sometimes speaks through immature, unexpected sources, offering wisdom that comes directly from Him.
Here, I use the word babe as it relates to someone younger than I am, both in years and in spiritual maturity.
Two young people––“babes” in the scriptural sense––without realizing their words reached my ears and far beyond their immediate concerns, their conversations offered a lot more wisdom about life and more insight and perception about people than I had at their age.
The Trouble with Friends (and Family) is You Have to Keep Doing the Work
My youngest daughter taught Middle School and High School choir for years. On a day that I had gone to her school to help with some office work, one of her students came in during lunch to talk. The girl confided in my daughter, evidencing their relationship of trust.
While I had no idea who they were talking about, I overheard this student say, “I like her, but she’s a lot of work.”
I wanted to laugh out loud. What a way to describe her dilemma.
This babe’s words made me think about people I know, people I like, but to be honest, friendship with some people involves a lot of work.
Amazing that a 7th grader summed up in so few words problems people of any age can have with other people. By coming to talk to her teacher, she also demonstrated the need people have to vent when they have a problem, to process emotions, and to be able to share with someone who can understand and relate to their feelings.
Young people are never more vulnerable than during their school age years when cruel words, meanness and bullying create real problems. If these problems go unaddressed, kids can carry the effects of negative experiences into adulthood.
Take note. Personal differences can be worked through. Toxic relationships, however, need to end.
This young girl’s sweet spirit, apparent in her tone, showed she wanted to know how to work out whatever issues she had with this friend. She leaned back on one foot and tilted her head as if she was thinking really hard how best to handle the situation.
“I like her, but she’s a lot of work.”
Yes, matter of fact, people and problems involve a lot of work. I wonder if the girl on the other end of this problem realized she is a lot of work.
Of course, I have no idea how today’s middle-schoolers handle their friend problems. Still, I couldn’t help but admire this student for using her words to work through a difficult situation.
Trouble with People Comes from Our Differences
Another conversation illustrated mature insight spoken by someone I have never met. During a family reunion, after dinner the younger people settled on the deck to converse. This young woman––the newest member of the family by marriage––listened as people discussed other people in the family. No telling what this young woman thought, but her conclusion about people in general is priceless.
Letting out a sigh, she said, “Well, there’s a lot of ways to be.”
Remarkably, at a young age, she had figured out that you can’t really change other people. With maturity, you and I learn we cannot even change ourselves in ways we’d like!
So this young woman covered a multitude of people’s differences with words of acceptance––without judgment or compounding criticism.
How could these two “babes,” different ages and circumstances, have already learned what has taken me most of my adult life to understand and accept?
People See, Experience and Interpret the World Differently
A few words spoken by spiritual babes got my attention. Their insight reminded me how easily prejudice and pride creep into relationships.
In Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet’s sister Jane reminds her, there are indeed a lot of ways to be.
“My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as these. They will ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance enough for difference of situation and temper.”
That’s it, isn’t it? Pride or prejudice or both get in the way, affecting relationships. And these feelings can hijack our own happiness.
Lubbock Symphony in Buddy Holly Hall
Each time I attend the symphony, I think about the musicians, musing about their dedication, hours of practice, the myriad choices that led each of them to the chair where they sit––doing something they love, making music for others to enjoy.
By definition, an orchestra has to have more than one instrument and not every instrument plays the same notes in a symphony score. Harmony and beauty results when each musician watches the conductor and plays his own part well.
A community has more than one personality, represents more than one viewpoint, offers more possibility for growth in knowledge, wisdom and favor with God and man.
I can save myself a lot of grief as I keep my eyes on the same LORD the psalmist wrote that the heavens declare.
Accepting people as they are, for who they are, I get to decide which friendships are worth the work, acknowledging that any valuable relationship will involve work.
My work, as I see it now, is no longer to expect people think like me, act like me, or be like me, but instead to recognize in every friendship, every relationship, a chance for me to grow.
