If You Can't Say Something Nice

"My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak
what I know." Job 33:3 NIV

(Original Post: Tuesday, May 19. 2009)

If I worked on the production line in heaven, I would ask God to put a safety valve on people’s tongues to shut it off when their brain gets too heated. Why? Because when people get hot-headed, the overflow of their frustration and emotion often comes billowing out of their mouth in the form of mean and hurtful words.

I used to teach an object lesson in Children’s Church once a year. Several students would be selected for a race. At the sound of the whistle, each contestant would try to be the first to squeeze all the toothpaste from their tube. Lively music played in the background while classmates cheered them on. When the first person emptied their tube and thought they’d won, I would explain the race was only halfway over. Next, they had to put the toothpaste back in the tube! It didn't take long for them to realize it couldn't be done. The point I wanted them to learn was...what flows out so easily is absolutely impossible to put back in.

Words that are spoken can never be taken back. Their effect can last a lifetime. When I was a little girl, my mom used to cut my bangs. Evidently, I didn’t sit still for her, and the result wasn’t pretty. As we walked along a sidewalk one day, a woman looked at me and said to her companion, “...that poor little girl”. That was fifty years ago, but I still remember how it made me feel. It was embarrassing and humiliating...and unnecessary.

Teach your children the importance of speaking well of others. It’s a lesson we should ALL take to heart...if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. And if you THINK it, but it’s not nice, ask God for the grace to see people and circumstances through His loving and forgiving eyes. Ask for your thoughts to become like His thoughts.

God, give me the self-control to speak only words of kindness to others. Keep me from lashing out in anger or saying things I have to apologize for later. Help my children learn how to speak kindly or remain silent. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Put Your Hand In My Hand

"May Your hand be ready to help me, for I
have chosen Your precepts."
Psalm 119:173 NIV

(Original Post: Monday, August 24, 2009; Liam is now 4 years old)

Last Friday morning, my 18-month-old grandson Liam came over to play. He was just in time for breakfast, so I set him in the high chair with a bowl of dry Honey Nut Cheerios and a little spoon. First, he picked up the spoon with his left hand, then meticulously moved his right fingers to “spoon holding position” before placing the utensil carefully in his right hand.  It was clear he’d had some practice. With determination on his face, he spooned a lone Cheerio and raised it to his mouth...only to drop it on the floor because he turned the spoon sideways. 

I was amazed at Liam’s persistence and patience even though the cereal never quite made it into his mouth. He tried again and again, even putting the cereal that fell on the tray back in the bowl. After a few minutes, I decided to try to help. I placed my hand on his and held the spoon level when he raised it up, so he could actually eat a bite. We played this repetitive “game” for a good little while, and I saw him make some serious progress. 

Little hands often need big hands to guide them...hands that are gentle yet strong and experienced but not impatient. Sometimes it’s the best way to learn. I fondly remember the touch of my Grandma Cline’s arthritic hands on mine as we crocheted in tandem for days, until I could master the delicate stitches on my own. To this day, crocheting is one of my most favorite (and relaxing) hobbies.

God’s hand is there to guide us...big and small...when we need it, too. But most of the time, He waits for us to put our hands in His. How much easier could life be if we went to Him in the beginning, instead of as a last resort!

Heavenly Father, give me nurturing, loving hands that my children can trust and learn from. Teach me to use my hands for guidance but never control. And may Your hand be upon me as I seek to walk in Your will. In Jesus‘ Name, Amen.

You're Never Alone

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified...the
LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor
forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

(Original Post: Friday, March 27, 2009)

Four summers ago my oldest daughter called in hysteria, needing directions to Children’s Hospital in downtown Dallas. Saber was by himself en route to the medical center via ambulance. Gwen was 30 miles away, frantic, and didn’t know how to get there.

Saber had fallen 15’ from a tree in his Memaw’s backyard. On the way to the ground, God miraculously saved him from a tragic outcome. His thin “I Love New York” t-shirt caught on one of the lowest tree branches, halting his fall mid-air, just inches from the bricks on the ground below. But blood was everywhere. A sharp limb had severely sliced his leg open from upper thigh to knee. EMS responders determined they needed to bypass a closer regional hospital and go straight to Children’s. Memaw was home alone with the other grandchildren, so she couldn’t go with them.

Gwen was imagining how afraid Saber must be...hurt and alone, being taken by strangers to a place he’d never been before...as a mother, she desperately wanted to give him comfort and be by his side.

But Saber didn’t feel alone. The attendants in the ambulance were wonderful. They brought comfort to this little 7-year-old boy as if he was their own. Their calm assurance helped transform a scary time into an exciting adventure, complete with one very big scar! A quick phone call alerted one of our church friends (a pediatric physician at Children’s) who met the ambulance at the door of ER. Saber was well cared for. Mom arrived moments later and yes, she survived too.

The Bible reminds us time and time again our God is never absent. When young boys Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were taken into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar, God was with them every step of the way. Instead of being fearful, they stood on their faith and trusted God. When they were thrown into a furnace, He saved them from a fiery death. In the end, they were elevated to positions of great importance. 

You can’t be everywhere all the time when your children need you. Only God can. But you can take great comfort in knowing the God who created the universe is the same God who watches over your children when they are beyond your grasp and out of your sight. Teach them to trust in Him and call upon Him when they are afraid or feel alone. He will never leave them!

God, I am so grateful You watch over all of us even when we don’t realize it. Thank you for all of the times Your angels have saved my children from harm. Continue to watch over them, protect them, and draw them unto You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.