I have a confession to make: my study of the Welsh language has fallen by the wayside. Life seems to have been busier than ever this last couple of years and I have struggled to find time to progress beyond the first twenty-five lessons. One problem is that the further I go the more I need to sit and focus on what I am learning, rather than just listening to audio lessons as I drive.
Just a few of my Welsh language learning tools!
This week I went all the way back to lesson one while I was driving to Heathrow Airport. Sometimes it is good to go back to the beginning. Interestingly, one of the first things the course teaches is how to say, “I want,” which translates as “Dw i’n moyn” in Southern Welsh. Other verbs introduced in lesson one include try (trio), like (hoffi), speak (siarad), do (gwneud), say (dweud), know (gwybod), go (mynd) and wait (aros).
Why would you teach someone how to say, “I want” so early in a language course? Is it because these words rule our lives? Travelling to the airport my thoughts would normally include many ‘I wants,’ including a good parking spot at the airport, stress free boarding of my flight, space in the overhead bin for my bag, and preferably an empty seat beside me. These are all reasonable expectations, but they are all human desires focused on a human journey. While human journeys are inevitable for all of us there is a far more important journey for humanity that begins at birth that is not about what we want.
Learning how to say, “I need” doesn’t come until lesson five of my Welsh course. The problem is that what I want is not always what I need. The other problem is the ‘I’ and the ‘me’ in everything. It is when I become focused on myself and my wants that I take my eye off what I need. The second problem is that what I think I need might not be what I need at all.
In returning to the very basics of learning Welsh this week I found God reminding me that He knows better than I do. When I ask for His will to be done do I really mean it? Do I really expect it? Do I really want God’s will to be done? If it all starts at the beginning then surely it all starts with God? If my days do not begin with God then how can I even begin to understand what He wants and carry His expectations through the day? If I am not carrying His expectations with me then I will be trying to operate in human wisdom, which is something that can only ever lead to problems. I need more of God and less of me. I need to reach that place of surrender where I will want nothing but Him.
Ar y dechrau cyntaf, dyma Duw …. (In the beginning God ….) Genesis 1:1
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
good luck with that Welch David—-that and gaelic seem to be almost from a different planet as far as I’m concerned—but then I think that of Slavic languages….as I am terrible with the learning of languages—I took French from 4th grade to mid high school—and I can only utter a few phrases. It is a “gift” that I wish I had received, that being the readily learning of language, yet it was not to be….but your observation is very keen. In the quick learn guides I use to master a few phrases when I’ve traveled—that being Italian, Dutch, German and Czech…. the initial and predominate quick learn phrase is either “where is” or “how much”…again—the me focused sort of questions of communication…
Oh that I thank you for the reminder that it is the language of Him that I am to focus on and master!!!!
Ciao ciao my friend 🙂
David said:
I should have been using French language resources Julie as I was on my way to Geneva! But the local contact there speaks English, French, German and Italian – all of them fluently. I wish I could. Just about to catch up on your posts after being away.
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
Bon chance David 🙂 (david being pronounced with flair 🙂 )
David said:
Which translates to pob lwc in Welsh Julie
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
Of course it does- makes perfect sense 🤪
David said:
Nothing makes sense anymore, which I think is the point you make in ‘Fall from Grace.’
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
So intuitive you are ! 😍
snowgood said:
David,
I like the fact The Lord speaks to you through everyday life. Thankfully I’m not a frequent flyer, but when I do I try and do the opposite to all the others. I don’t need to be first on the plane, answer voicemails as soon as we land, or be the first off.
Wants and needs are fascinating (if blurred in western society), deep down we all need to be loved. This fact struck me forcibly after a long walk with a friend on Sunday, it was fantastic, but the best part of the day was a big hug from Roz when I got home.
What was God saying to me? I think he was making it clear that even racing around have a great time isn’t as important as having a good relationship.
Bless you
Stephen
David said:
Thank you Stephen. I do like to get the gate early and board in good time to make sure I have space to stow my bag. I am not bothered about Voicemails, and I cannot understand people still making calls when we are taxiing! The worst thing is being seated behind the one individual on a short flight who thinks it perfectly acceptable to fully recline his seat into the face and space of the passenger behind!
You are absolutely right about relationships. Every good relationship is another blessing, but especially a long and happy marriage. And I am truly blessed in that respect.