As I was unloading the groceries yesterday, I was thinking about my little girl, who has just turned four. She LOVES to talk. And, when I mean talk....I mean, well...ALL the time. Incessantly, is a word that comes to mind. Words are the way she expresses herself, and this she does very well. The bigger the words she uses, the more grown-up she feels. Her newest word is "important", which of course, is used in every sentence that comes from her mouth.
As the groceries were taken out of their bags, and placed into the cupboards, my mind wandered back to our time at the store. Miss Lady K, my four year old, had been there with me. Now, I will admit that she is a very cute little girl. She has large blue eyes inherited from her grandma, and light blonde hair. She is a beautiful little girl. And, people tell her so. I don't know how many people tell her she is "so cute!", when we are out and about. Or, they may comment on the outfit she's wearing as well.
Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the kind words spoken. However, I thought how often as a mom, I compliment her as well, on physical attributes alone. Words that feed the flesh, and help her to focus on the outside, not the inside.
The whole world screams at us about the way we look, and the way we are dressed. Magazine covers, television ads, "compliments" from strangers, just to name a few.
I long for my children, and my three daughters especially, to long for things that are eternal. For that to be their focus. To be enamored with the One who made them, loves them more than I ever could, and gives their lives purpose.
My words can have a huge effect on their outlook. As a homeschooling mama, I am around my children most of the hours in a given day. We talk, and talk, and talk with each other. For this, I am so very thankful. However, I pray for the words from my mouth to be focused on what I see God doing in their lives.
For instance, yesterday, after my daughter pushed someone down at our homeschool co-op (without me seeing)...she later came to me, and told me what she had done. I did thank her for telling me the truth. Even better, I could have said, "I see how God was working in your spirit to tell the truth. God stands for the truth, and so do you. God is at work in your heart!" What a wonderful thought for a little one to know that a living God is working in them!
I have been trying to catch my children in acts of servant hood, telling the truth, putting someone else before them, and other kind or thoughtful acts. I try very hard to share with them how I see God working in their lives, and say how proud me, daddy and God are of them.
Let's build our children up to be all God has called of them!
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21
p.s. Thank you, Heather, for putting this forefront in my mind....you have helped my family by sharing what God laid on your heart.
