Because of the fact that truth about the words we speak is one of the most important truths we can teach our children, and grandchildren after the truth about Jesus, I want to share yet another message on the subject.
A week or so ago, a friend posted the message below on Facebook. Even if you have seen it before, it was first posted in August 2016, I believe it is well worth repeating. It says:
“My daughter starts middle school tomorrow. We’ve decorated her locker, bought new uniforms, even surprised her with a new backpack. But tonight just before bed, we did another pre-middle school task that is far more important than the others. I gave her a tube of toothpaste and asked her to squirt it out into a plate. When she had finished, I calmly asked her to put it all back into the tube. She began exclaiming things like ‘But I can’t.’ and ‘it won’t be like it was before!’ I quietly waited for her to finish and then said the following:
‘You will remember this plate of toothpaste for the rest of your life – here is why: Your words have the power of life and death. As you go into middle school, you are about to see just how much weight your words carry. You are going to have the opportunity to use your words to hurt, demean, slander and wound others. You are also going to have the opportunity to use your words to heal, encourage, inspire and love others. You will occasionally make the wrong choice; I can think of three times this week I have used my own words carelessly and caused harm. However, just like the toothpaste, once the words leave your mouth, you can’t take them back. Use your words carefully. When others are misusing their words, guard your words. Make the choice every morning that life-giving words will come out of your mouth. Decide tonight that you are going to be a life-giver in school. Be known for your gentleness and compassion. Use your life to give life to a world that so desperately needs it. You will never, ever regret choosing kindness.'”