Words

I've been thinking about my words a lot lately. It seems like an odd thing to think about, until you realize people are actually listening to the words that come out of your mouth. Jayden is my little parrot. He's repeating everything I say and it's caused me to remember to think before I speak. I don't want him walking around saying words that aren't appropriate for an almost 2 year old... that that I say "bad" words. I really hate the use of the words: freak, freakin', frick, fricken.. etc. But for some reason these words are in my vocabulary. The last thing I want to hear is my child walking around saying, "I want my freaking cup!". I'm hoping to break myself of that habit before it turns into one of his.

The other reason I've been thinking about words so much is because as parents our words are very valuable. When it comes to discipling we have to keep our word. If I say, "If you throw your food on the floor you won't get anything else to eat until the next meal." Then I better mean it! It's not always easy to keep my word but I know that my kids will test the boundaries and that when they do they will know I'm not moving. Especially when it comes to saying, "If you do that again, you're going to get a spanking."

I was talking about this with my dad awhile ago and he said there were times he wished he wouldn't have said those very words because in all honesty whatever it was I was doing wasn't really worth getting a spanking over, but since he said it he had to stick to his word. My dad is so good about keeping his word and not being persuaded by a child who isn't getting her way... ahem.. I remember when I was in middle school I wanted to stay the night at my best friend's house who lived across the street and my dad said no. I went to the store and bought him a card and his favorite candy bar and I begged and begged and begged and he still refused to let me stay the night. I was so angry with him because I wasn't getting my way!! Years later I found out the truth about why he said no and I respect him for it now.

I took a parenting class through my church when I was pregnant with Jayden and I remember the teacher saying that our no must mean no and our yes must mean yes! I never thought about how important it is that when we say yes we mean it.

Another reason I've been thinking about my words is because of this scripture:

Proverbs 18:21
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

The words we speak have so much power.. life and death are in the POWER of the tongue... What are we speaking over our children? Over our spouses? Over our finances? Are we speaking blessings or curses over them? Are we gossiping about our friends or family? This is a daily walk.. it's something we have to be aware of all the time!!

I've been known to talk a lot. In fact, my nickname in elementary school was motor mouth. I feel like I always have something to say and it should be heard. Well the truth is there are times I'd be in a better situation if I could keep my words to a minimum. So this is truly a challenge for me.