When Endless Chatter Meets Understanding

Have you ever been around someone who chatted incessantly with seemingly little meaning?

It can be rather annoying and frustrating … and a headache generator.

My Monday was spent in the presence of just such a person, my lovely daughter, Rachel. Let me explain.

Rachel had a cleft clinic appointment an hour-and-a-half drive away. With my mother tagging along we left in the early morning for a several hour “easy” appointment, followed by some back-to-school shopping.

From the moment we sat in the car, I knew it was going to be a different kind of day. Rach chattered and giggled endlessly. And with her limited vocabulary of 12 or so semi-clear words, the dialogue wasn’t well fleshed out. “Momma,” “Grandma,” “no,” and “eat” made up the bulk of her understandable words. She occasionally tossed in “yes” for good measure.

My girl tends to be a jolly sort, but this day she was in rare form, outdoing her previous happy-meter record. So much so, that her doctor nicknamed her Sunshine Girl during the visit.

Now, lest you get the wrong idea, just because Rachel is happy, doesn’t mean she is cooperative. In fact, this was one of her more stubborn days. (She is a teenager after all).

At first, Rachel’s energy and vocal antics brought smiles from Mom and myself. However, after several hours of responding to seemingly the same questions and remarks and trying to contain her bountiful enthusiasm and curiosity, headaches began to replace the smiles.

Every other word out of Rach’s mouth was “EAT,” even right after we ate. Her ceaseless chatter about the same few things wore on my nerves. That is, until I focused on really understanding the circumstances and intent behind the words.

Rachel repeats the same words because that’s all she has the capacity to say. She has a desire to converse and those dozen-plus words are her entire vocabulary.

But those few words spoke volumes when I finally took the time to understand them.

Sometimes Rachel meant she wanted to eat, other times that same word meant someone else was eating or she thought they should. “No” meant “I don’t want to,” “I want to see how you respond,” “Aren’t we going to do that,” “I’m just goofing around,” and many other sentiments.

In the midst of my understanding, her endless chatter took on meaning … and rich meaning at that.

God’s Understanding Gives Meaning to Our Prayers

Doesn’t that ring true in our dialogue with God as well. I jabber on incessantly about all my needs and wants, my hurts and joys. I repeatedly beseech the Lord to solve my problems, make life easier, and show me the next step.

It must sound like constant chatter to Him. But He takes time to understand my words and ascribes them with rich meaning.

The great I AM doesn’t let on that He is bored or irritated with my endless prattle. Even though He knows what I’m going to say before the words ever leave my mouth, He still encourages me to come to Him with my burdens, to speak more, not less. He understands my need to verbalize.

In fact, He encourages it … even commands it. Thus, He gave us the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).

It is important for Rachel to use her limited vocabulary and for me to develop an understanding of the meaning behind them.

It is equally important for me to bring my oft monotonous words before the Lord. Knowing that as I rattle on in pray, often unintelligibly, God doesn’t close His ears in disgust.

He opens them fully as well as His arms and heart to me, inviting me in to a closer relationship. In turn, we open up our hearts to receive all He has to give. Because that’s what happens When Endless Chatter Meets Understanding.

As we pray, God opens up His arms and heart to us, inviting us into a closer relationship with Him. Share on X

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6).

Reflection: Do you sometimes feel you are voicing endless dribble to the Lord of the Universe? Are there times when you have no words to express yourself? Remember, even a few words (or thoughts in the Lord’s case) can speak volumes in the midst of an understanding heart.