Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
James 3:5-6
Last night I had a nightmare. It had something to do with computer hackers and it felt extremely real. As is usually the case with my dreams, I was unable to fight back. My dream state kept me as their victim. I raged against their evil schemes until my discomfort woke me up. Half-awake and freed from the shackles of dreaming, I crafted a counter-attack. I had to resolve the nightmare. They needed to pay for what they did. Justice demanded it. I turned over in bed and half-imagined, half-dreamed my battle plan. It involved my wielding several superpowers and employing harsh vigilante justice. When I felt that I had made my point, I woke up entirely. The HVAC fan kicked on. I opened my eyes. My alarm clock looked over-bright. A light rain pattered against the window. The hacker battle evaporated in my mind. I felt silly for taking it all so seriously.
Language is a miracle. Isn’t it amazing that I can so easily communicate what happened inside my head this morning? It’s already fading in my memory, but here you are experiencing my hacker battle years later. How astounding is that? The power of language to transfer an idea from my brain to another across space and time is… how should I describe it? Communication is a superpower!
Despite being a quiet, introverted person, I learned to wield the powers of communication years ago. Public speaking for example is not comfortable for me, not natural. I’ve learned how to do it effectively because I had to. Now, I consider it a good tool on my tool belt, but not my favorite. It serves me well in the right circumstances like Superman’s laser eyes. When I am asked to present something to a group of people, I switch off my shyness for a few minutes and take on the persona of the extrovert communicator. Like an over-tight pair of shoes, I can manage public speaking for a short while. Afterward, I feel embarrassed and unsure again. It’s funny how my awkwardness over public appearances will linger in my mind for years.
Whether your kids are introverted or out-going, they need to learn the art of communication. It is a mighty superpower that will allow them to present themselves well to others, explain their feelings, ideas, opinions, and plans. Good communication skills help build and maintain relationships, lead, and resolve conflict. The ability to articulate will open doors that remain locked to those who can’t communicate effectively.
