Wednesday, February 23, 2011

What Words Are You Teaching Your Kids?

Proverbs 31: "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her."

In my class this week we've been talking about the words we use with our family....specifically the words we use with our children and our spouses. I posed a question to the ladies in my class, and it was one that made me think. "If we were to ask your children and your husband what they thought about the words you use, would they say you use your words to encourage them or would they say you use your words to discourage them?"

Yikes! That is something to think about. I would hope my family would say my words are encouraging to them, but then God reminded me that sometimes I've said things like, "What is wrong with you!?!??", or "What were you thinking?!?!?" Those aren't very encouraging words.

The words we use with our families are so important. Sometimes we get too comfortable in our homes with our words and we hurt the people that we love the most. Studies show that kids need 10 times more praise spoken into their lives than the discipline they receive. I realized this week that I'm a lot better at telling my kids what they need to correct than I am at telling them what they do well. Boy, does that need to change.

And my sweet husband...oh my! Some of the words I've used with him are less than encouraging. He's the man that provides for my family, takes wonderful care of me, loves his children and is committed to his Lord and Savior. And yet, I'm not always encouraging to him. Sigh. What is wrong with me!

I'm so thankful to God for pointing out these things that I need to change. I want to be a blessing to my children and my husband. I want my words to be uplifting and life giving. And above all, I want them to see Jesus in me.

Lord, help me to say the right things to my children and my husband. Help me to be a blessing to them. Help me to discipline in a loving way, and praise much more than I discipline. Thanks for Your grace and mercy and Your love for me. I'm nothing without You. ~ Amen