Words

This week my bible study has been focusing on toxic thoughts, and specifically toxic words.  What are the causes of toxic thoughts?  Why is it easier to think toxic thoughts than to focus our minds on the truth?  How are toxic thoughts and words infecting my life right now?  How can we guard against toxic thoughts and words?  I've come to the conclusion that although I haven't been the receipt of any toxic words lately, I can think of several instances when I have been the giver over the last week.  (Insert cringe here.)  "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."  (Proverbs 12:18)  I've been thinking and praying a lot that my words would heal and build up rather than tear down.  What about you?  How have your words influenced others lately?

One reason I mention this is because right in front of me, all day every day, is a little person who is full to the brim with words.  Little B talks from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to sleep (literally).  He talks about members of our family, where they are, things that we did with them, what color their cars are (I know, random), when he's going to see them again, books he likes, songs he likes ("Dink-a-Dink" Song and Itsy, Bitsy Spider are his current favorites).  Have I mentioned that he has started calling himself Mr. B?  As in, "Mr. B go upstairs now" instead of "I go upstairs now."  It is a miraculous joy to hear what is going on in his tiny head!  At the same time, it's also worrisome sometimes to hear what's going on in his head.  When I hear him shout, "Go away Little D!  Go away!" I wonder how to teach a two year old a nicer way to say, "Respect my personal space please."  Or when he tells, no, commands Little D to blow on his nuggets or eat his muffin, I have to tell him that he doesn't need to worry about how Little D is eating his food, and to just let him be.  What a bossy little kid!!  I guess this is part of the deal when you become a parent, to walk with your kids as they grow and teach them how to appropriately express themselves. 

Phew, this turned out much more serious than I thought.  Oh well.  If you made it this far, consider this a challenge to think about whether your words are beneficial or harmful to others, especially the words spoken to your spouse and your children.  And if you can think of a more polite way to say, "Go away!", that a two year old would understand, please let me know:)