Helpful Words
by Karen Loritts
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”
Remember that old saying from childhood? I do! It sounds sweet, yet it never occurred to me until years later that this childhood saying isn’t true. Stones do hurt! Words do hurt! We all know what it’s like when a crying child runs into our arms after a playmate or school mate has said something hurtful. We want to protect our kids like a mother hen and shield them under our wing!
The other day I grimaced when I heard a mother call her child a “brat.” Unintentionally, we all have called our children things: little stinker, big head, chubby boy, and shorty, just to name a few. You can probably rattle off a few more that you’ve heard or said.
Moms, we can’t guarantee how our children will turn out as adults. However, we can guarantee how we relate to them by speaking kind, encouraging words of truth to build right character.
Moms, let’s watch our words, even in a fit of frustration. Words do hurt!
© Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission from FamilyLife MomBlog. www.FamilyLifeMomBlog.com www.TrueWoman.com