What Every Mom Needs

A little girl can be bathed with sweet words of hope and encouragement and become a woman of strength and character with a heart desperate for our Lord.  Or, she can be singed with hurt-filled words and become a woman-child, insecure and always searching for... something to drown out the echoes of the 'you're not good enough's'.

A little boy can be washed with empowering words of integrity, love and strength, and become a man of fierce loyalty and determination with a heart filled with the love of Jesus.  Or, he can be scalded with impatient, belittling words and become a man-child, full of anger and always searching for... something to make him feel 'enough'.  

  

When my children were young I would cry out to the Lord begging forgiveness for using impatient, no-thought words.  Motherhood can be so exhausting, so frustrating.  How could I possibly have kind, patient words when we're running late for the Doctor's appointment and one son can't find his shoes, and the other son decides he doesn't want to go and stages a sit-in.  

OK, What Now Lord? 

It's at these very moments that our words can be life-giving or life-destroying.  Loving, patient, kind, wise words aren't born overnight.  They come from a heart tempered over time and experience, through deep relationship with God.  Yes, it's  a heart issue.

"A good person produces good things from the treasure of a good heart,  and  an evil person produces evil things from the treasure of an evil heart.  What you say flows from what is in your heart.  Luke 6:45 

God gives such wonderful, practical instruction.  This is straight from 2 Timothy 2:22-25:

1.  It's time to look those immature 'ideals' of what life is supposed to look like in the eye, and tell them to get lost.  Longing for the perfect house, husband, children, waistline... you get the picture, isn't beneficial or realistic.  It makes us discontent and... crabby!

2.  Run after righteousness } actively pursue and join with those who are in sincere and serious prayer before God.  That's right!  You need to find someone to hit their knees with you in prayer.  It makes a difference!

3.  Stop yourself from getting sucked into ridiculous arguments...  They usually  e.s.c.a.l.a.t.e!

4.  Be intentional about replacing your impatient, angry attitude with {deep breath} calmness.  

5.  Slow down and take the time to be a gentle listener and teacher.

6. Be patient but firm when bringing correction.   

7.  Remember, it's not all in your hands... God is working on changing their hearts {and yours}. 

 You've got to read this!  It's so cool!

"Run away from infantile indulgence.  Run after mature righteousness-faith, love, peace-joining those 

who are in honest and serious prayer before God.  Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; 

they always end up in fights.  God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle 

listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those 

who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober 

them up with a change of heart and turning to the truth..."

2 Timothy 2:22-25  (The Message)

Words are to be used to build up not tear down.

Please use your words wisely when speaking to:

yourself

your husband

your children

your friends

strangers 
 

"As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with

 compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience..."

Colossians 3:12

 Living in His grace, 

Mary

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