I think of all the "Rules" on this list, this very first one is the one that caught my attention. It could be paraphrased "Lets say good stuff about our kids." But that would sadly miss the point. You see, we say a lot. But are we saying enough?
Of all my flaws, I don't think I ever considered that I might not be saying enough. You see, (as if you had not noticed) I'm sorta wordy. I talk lots. I blog lots. I facebook lots. I would probably twitter if I had more time. I often speak without thinking. I often say too much. I often walk away from a conversation and kick myself for speaking too many words. So how could I possibly not be saying enough? The reality that God is slowly trying to teach me.. or that he is aggressively trying to reveal to me but I am only slowly catching on... is that it is the quality not the quantity of my words that matter. It matters more what words I speak than if I speak them. Here are some verses I found today on Bible Gateway. There were hundreds of verses that come up with the word "word," but knowing that Jesus IS the Word... thats not so surprising.
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
words can be a sweet, sweet blessing
Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
words can be a source of knowledge
Proverbs 12:18
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
reckless words are damaging
Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
words of Grace are healing
Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Words should be simple and full of humility, we are small.. He is ALL
Ecclesiastes 6:11
The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
too many words become nonsense
Matthew 12:37
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Our words have consequences!
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
The words that matter, and will bring the most encouragement, are those of the Gospel!!
Many days I feel like all I do is speak to my children, about my children or on behalf of my children. The fabled blog would be a list of all the good things I said to my children or about my children today. A beautifully edited self proclamation of what a beautiful life we are living and how wonderful my children are. The reality is that most days much of what I say comes in the form of criticism or complaint. To my children- "Stop" "Don't" "No""hurry" "Go" "please" "If you..." About my children, usually when someone compliments them- "but" "not really" "if only you knew" "sometimes". ugh. and UGLY. I don't always speak negatively, but really.. its much more than I want it to be. I don't know if I would even have been aware of this if I was not looking at what it means to "celebrate verbally'. But after looking at scripture the reality is that our words can heal or harm, bless or sadden. By celebrating verbally in a spontaneous way the little things about our children that show signs of life or goodness (love that part).. our words can help lead our children to the Gospel! By celebrating when Ayden shows kindness to his brother or friends at school I can show him that loving others is what we are called to do! By commending Balin on not whining when I ask him to put away his toys I can train him in diligence. By praising Jesus at the breakfast table when Silas sleeps for more than two hours at a time over night we can all taste the sweet honey of blessing!
How can you verbally celebrate your kids this week? Do you find it hard to speak verbally of the positive "signs of life" in your children?
http://www.lifeunfabled.blogspot.com/
We must have Faith that our words will eventually imprint on our childrens hearts.
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