What is better than making a new friend? Better than spending the whole morning with a friend? More delightful than watching little girls be reunited with a favorite friend?Well, I'll tell you--
Being the one to introduce a new friend to an old acquaintance, stand back and watch them both. be. blessed.
And better still is time spent listening to them each exercise their first language--Spanish--as I am contented to serve them a snack and keep their water filled and fresh. And as I do, I smile with wonder because the dialog has morphed into their second language--French. And I am free to listen and relish the emotion in the sound of my friend's speech because she hasn't had an opportunity to use this tongue for 9 years! But it all comes flooding back.
When they do speak their 3rd language--English--I listen and understand as they discuss the fine points and differences between the three. They share their opinions about which language is harder to learn, easiest to speak, most difficult to write. And I think that maybe the gift of tongues is alive and
well because I am sure, sure, sure that the ability to learn all these languages as fluently as these ladies have is a gift of God. And I do not have it.
8 comments:
I don't have the gift either, even after a few years of high school French taught by a Cuban with her doctorate in languages. I do have an interested accent though.:)
Sounds like a delightful day!
You, my friend, are fluent in the language of Grace and a gift to all of us.
After working at 911 in Phoenix, I have a pretty wide understanding of Spanish, can't speak much though. It helps that I studied Italian in high school. Foreign language is something I seem to grasp easily, and I think if I put my mind to it, I probably could become fluent. I've just never had to motivation to take it seriously.
How wonderful for your friends!
What a delightful experience that must have been. I love to hear my daughter in law when she is with someone, or is on the phone with someone, who speaks her native language, Swahili (though she is from Kenya where English is the "official" government language. Strange). She regrets that she didn't learn her village language, which I can't spell! My son learned Swahili and they converse very well! He has the true gift of tongues, and can learn any language easily by being around it. It is a wonderful gift. I wrote about my uncle who has that gift and learned his African language when he was a new missionary in 6 weeks without any lessons, but just being immersed. Wonderful post, once again!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog :) I enjoyed browsing around your site, too. Especially liked the post about your "perfect" children falling short. Encouraging. Please come visit again! :)
Jacci
BTW, would you mind telling me how you found my blog? :) Have a great day!
As missionaries soon to be launched, I am praying for the "gift of tonques" (in addition to the biblical gift), being able to minister Jesus there is hinged upon it. Supernatural grace to do Your will,Father!
That's funny how kids get to communicate so quickly in another language, the first words my 6 year-old son learned in English were: "my turn" and he told me so proudly, "mom that's how I get to play!"
I don't have that gift either but probably only because I've never made the effort. I've always heard that the English language is one of most difficult languages in the world to learn. Love their happy, smiling faces.
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