“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Have you ever considered that words have more power than we can imagine? Words can build us up, and they can also tear us down.
Hubby and I were discussing the topic Sunday morning after church service. He’s a very sweet, gentle, and kind man. He’s also strong in faith and wonderfully, Godly spiritual. I am truly blessed to have him not only in my life but as my life partner.
So hubby turns to me and says, “I would never say those things to someone.” He was referring to the negative examples Pastor gave during the message. Things like, “You were an accident. You’re stupid. You’re worthless.” And so on.
What was interesting about his reaction is that he was appalled. Well, my love, I hate to break it you (actually, at this point, remind you) not everyone was raised in a loving home. I’m all too familiar with this type of scenario.
Mind you, I’m not perfect nor will I ever be. So I shared a little something with hubby that I hadn’t before. He already knew that my children, Connor (20) and Corbin (19) were not planned. Did I ever tell them they were accidents? NEVER!
I refused to let the cycle continue with my children. Praise the Lord He gave me that strength! Here’s what I used to tell them when they were the cutest little boys…”God gave you to me as a gift. And as your Mom, it is my job to love you, to protect you, and teach you.” Let that sink in for a moment. How would you feel deep in your heart and soul if your Mama hugged you tightly and whispered this to you?
Now, would you believe that I used a part of this conversation again when they were teenagers? Every time the topic of “I’m an overprotective Mom” would come up…I smiled up at them and repeated, “God gave you to me as a gift. I am to love you, protect you, and teach you.” They had deep respect for that and now as the young adults they are they know I did right by them.
Also around the teenage years, the topic came up of whether they were “accidents”. My response? “I didn’t plan you; God planned you. And you are my blessing. I love you.”
Words become thoughts. Thoughts become actions. So know this faith & honesTee family, we love you. We are always here to encourage you, inspire you, and empower you to continue your walk of faith always drawing nearer to our Heavenly Father.
What powerful words of affirmation are you going to tell yourself today? Here’s what hubby and I are practicing that we learned in service at Christ’s Church (Mandarin Campus, Jacksonville, FL)…
“I am a child of God with a forever future. I will be about His work.”
I love this