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1998-10-02 - Let the Words of My Mouth be Acceptable
The Virtuous Woman Series, Part 18
Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and
in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Have you ever seen a group of kids together? You can generally tell how the
mother talks to them by how the children act and talk with each other.
I can't remember where this came from. I am not the author, but part of it
has been engraved on my mind since I was a teenager:
"If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with anger, he learns to be afraid."
Those are the ones that stuck in my head. The kids whose parents pick at
everything - from their style of clothing to the way they make their bed
are often the rebellious children. Sometimes the rebellion is out-and-out
"in your face", and sometimes it's quiet rebellion.
Sometimes it's not finishing things because they are afraid that they won't
be able to get it right. Other times it's seen in perfectionistic behavior
or overachievers. The kid who never gets it right is driven by the need to -
just this once - win mom's approval, and it rarely comes.
There are the kids who are always joking around. How often we've seen them!
Watch long enough, and you'll see "the tears of the clown." That constant
class clown is usually hiding behind a mask so that no one can see the hurt
inside.
I've heard it said that many a kid can get over having a
rotten father, but few survive a bad mom. I don't agree with that. Every word
spoken touches a life, for good or for bad, every word counts. Verbal abuse
is sometimes worse than physical abuse. Words have the ability to cut to the
soul of a child. If we say to a child, "What's the matter with you?!?" That
child will being to wonder what is the matter with him? I can find a problem
if I think I need to find one.
What am I saying to my children? Am I building them up in the nurture of
the Lord? Or I am I tearing them down with criticisms? Am I encouraging or
discouraging my children?
Ephesians 4:32 Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you
Dear Father, Let the words of my mouth and the meditations
of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight. Lord, teach what is important
and what isn't with raising these children that You have entrusted me with.
Father, I need wisdom from You to know which battles are the ones that are
to be fought, and which are to be conceded. God, You are the Harmony in the
home; please sing strongly in this home. Lord, I ask that as we learn Your
concepts that we would be able to teach them lovingly to our children. Thank
You Lord for Who You are. Thank You for Your love, and thank You for Your
mercy. Let me show mercy to my children, for Your sake. Amen
Sandi |
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