[Christian Fellowship]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