Every morning I try my best to get the kids at the kitchen counter for a healthy breakfast and Bible study. It's a great way to get my children focused and ready for the day. My children have a book that is diving in to some of the deeper concepts within the Bible. We also have passages that go along with what they're discussing. After all the deep and mind blowing work, we hit a little Veggie Tales Day by Day Bible study for AJ, though Caleb seems to enjoy them.
Sometimes I need to deviate from the books to hit the kids right where they need it. Last week, my children made me feel like a worthless sack of you know what. I couldn't understand half of it. The attitudes. The word vomit. I could not figure out why they were acting like the world suddenly stopped for them. It was insanity. This week was better. We have worked on attitude, speech, and so much else. This morning I was trying to figure out exactly what to say as I deviated from the books. Making that breakfast in the picture above got my mind right. Our words can be as sweet as blueberries on a hot summer day. They can be smooth as yogurt; soothing to the soul. Our words can be freshly picked peaches. I gave this idea to the children as I walked over to the refrigerator where I knew a bit of "too old" macaroni and cheese was residing. I pulled out the mac 'n cheese, opened the container, and placed it between the two kids while they took a bite of breakfast. "Smell this. Stick your face in there and sniff!" They each did. You can imagine the results. "Ugh! Yuck!" "Why did we have to smell this?!" Yes, why? Well, our words can also be like old mac 'n cheese hanging out in the fridge for too long. I continued to teach them about how their words affected other people. Both macaroni and cheese and a yogurt parfait are good for you. They have good qualities to them. They will give you energy and make you strong. But what happens when either of them has sat around for too long? It gets a little nasty. When you speak kindly, lovingly, and honestly with people it can taste like fresh strawberries. But angry, harsh words said in the moment or whiny, selfish words can taste like molding mac 'n cheese. After the quick rundown, I turned to each one and asked some questions. We discussed how they would each feel if the other person said words of fresh yogurt parfait or moldy mac 'n cheese. We looked at each other in understanding that last week, Mom ate a lot of moldy food. And when I ate all that moldy food, it made me sick. I couldn't stand to be around them because I knew I would be given moldy food, and then my reaction would be in sickness. The final challenge has been pointing out words of freshness versus words of mold. Throughout the day we have been calling each other out. I have heard them say to one another, "Thank you for the fresh strawberries!" And similar phrases. When we hear something that feeds the soul with sweetness, it helps to let them know. They will grow to be adults that speak kindly to the world around them instead of spewing vileness. And when they are rude, I have told them, "That's some nasty mac 'n cheese." They get it. They know that their words can be viewed in two ways. They are learning that their words create a reaction in other people. It's a simple concept. Yes. It was done for my children. I'd love for those of you with young ones to do something similar. We need to teach our children just how much words matter. "For out of the heart, the mouth speaks."
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May 2023
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