The Virtuous Woman Series, Part 19
The Words of My Mouth
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Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
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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.
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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:
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CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE
If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, He learns justice.
If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.
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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.
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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 begin to wonder what is the matter with him? We can always find a problem if we think we need to find one.
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God is a God of encouragement. “I am with you.” “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “I will never leave you.” “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” He builds us up for His use and cheers us on to victory.
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?
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Ephesians 4:32 Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you
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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, for Your sake. Amen
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