Daily Power #290

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (Prov. 15:4 ESV)

Several years ago, our daughter Catie came bursting into our bedroom to tattle on her little sister, “Mommy and Daddy! Anna said a really, really bad word!”

Accustomed to their sisterly drama, Amy and I calmly asked what the really, really bad word was.

“It’s so bad, I can’t say it,” she explained soberly. Leaning in some, Amy asked, “Catie, can you tell me what letter the word started with?” Our distressed little tattler leaned in and whispered, “Anna said the one starting with s.”

Since younger sister Anna was only six at the time, this definitely got out attention. Trying not to show panic, we wondered aloud where she heard such bad language. Then Amy said to Catie, “I promise you that you won’t get in trouble, but can you please tell me exactly what she said.”

At first Catie resisted. After continuous prodding, she whispered ever so softly. “You know—she said ‘shut up.’”

To this day, we can’t tell if that makes us pretty good parents or way too strict. Either way, we laugh every time we retell it. And it also reminds me of the importance of watching what we say, no matter what age we might be.

Our words have incredible impact, and as the Bible points out, can be life-giving or life-taking. We can bless others by what we say around them, or we can hurt their hearts and destroy them. When we focus on being more like Christ, our words will bring Good News to those around us.

Power Lift

Jesus, give me the power to hold my tongue when I’m tempted to say things that will tear others down. Following your example, I want to bless others when I speak.