Sharon Autry scolded her three-year-old daughter for what seemed like the tenth time that day! And it didn’t help when those little hands went on her hips and she said defiantly, “Words, words, words. That’s all I get?”
Believe me, that got Sharon’s attention. And she began praying that God would help her speak words of “encouragement” rather than words of “criticism“.
Proverbs 18:21 says
“the tongue has the power of life and death.”
Look for the reasons to praise your children. Do it often. Every day! Use words that encourage. Things like, “I love you sweetheart.” Or, “I couldn’t be more proud of you.” And “God loves you, my little one, you are His child.”
The Bible never neglects discipline, nor should we as parents and grandparents. But, always with words prompted by love!
By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission
From: Mom and Loving It, Finding Contentment in Real Life, by Sharon Lovejoy Autry and Laurie Lovejoy Hillard
(Bethany House Publishers),
Further Reading
• No Child Ever Leaves God’s Sight – by Max Lucado
• Lessons from Life: Words – by Mike Woodard
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