There is an old adage that says words are like toothpaste….Once they are out, you cannot put them back in.
If we’re honest, our children have sometimes been the object of our careless and frustration-filled words.
But Jesus Himself is called the Word of God. Our love-filled, miracle-working, gently correcting Savior, is the epitome of what ours and our children’s words can be…healing, reconciling, encouraging, life giving.
When my kids were in elementary school, I gave them a piece of sandpaper to rub on their cheek, and then a cotton ball to do the same. When I asked them which they preferred, they of course said the cotton ball. That was my illustration for us to memorize Proverbs 15:1.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
Scripture continually reminds us of the power of words.
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph. 4:29
Lord, Help my children to speak words that build others up. May their words bring peace to toxic situations. May their words bring healing to hurting hearts. Train them to control their tongue so that it would not be a fire of destruction, but rather that it would be used to proclaim your Good News, the Gospel, to bring salvation and hope to all those around them all the days of their lives….And me, too!