I was very thin... skinny as a beanpole... as a child. I can still remember other children making fun of me until I was in tears. My mother always told me "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me." I know she meant well, but an unkind or cruel word can be painful... and sometimes, depending on what it is and who says it, an unkind word can leave a scar that lasts a lifetime.
We can all say careless words without thinking or realizing the impact they can have. I know I can. So I am so grateful to God for this reminder to think before I speak... I want to be a woman who "serves" words that bless and not curse, that build up and not tear down, that bring life and love rather than death. How about you? Let's agree together to think about our words today and encourage the children in our lives to do the same! Download this coloring page and use it as a conversation starter and see what God will do!
Heavenly Father... we know that it is not only children who need to learn to heed the wisdom of this proverb. Teach us to guard our words and choose them wisely. May our words be like apples of gold... fruitful... life-giving... full of hope, encouragement, comfort, healing, and kindness to the hearer... and may our words always be served in a setting of truth and love... and sweet to your ear. In Jesus' Name... amen.
