Friday, October 19, 2012

Look

Lisa Jo Baker's Five Minute Friday

Start.

Sometimes when the words roll off my tongue and plop down around me, I fail to look where I am speaking. 

You know how your mom or dad always told you, be careful and look where you are going?  Especially right before you crossed the street?  Why didn't anyone warn me to be careful to look where I am speaking?  Because sometimes the careless word that escapes, sometimes it is not so careless when it lands on someone else, someone unsuspecting.  It whips and tears against them, and for the life of me I would not have spoken that if I had looked before I spoke.  If I had made eye contact.  Really saw them.  I would have seen that they were having a hard day, were sad or tired or whatever load they already shoulder is too heavy for me to say something on top of it. 

When I correct my children I am trying very hard to get in the habit of looking into their eyes as I speak.  It is SO much easier for me to not snap in anger or frustration if I am looking at them, really looking and really seeing.  Because most of the time when I take the time to look, I see their sorrow or regret shining through for their mistake.  Isn't that the entire purpose of correcting them?  For them to grasp the sorrow or regret of their action so that they will think before they do it again?  So then if they already grasp it, I do not need to speak words to make them feel even worse, no I need to teach them instead.

When I talk to my husband when he gets home or before he leaves I am trying very hard to look in his eyes.  To tell him with my actions and my words that I love him, respect him, and that he matters so very much.
Stop.

Look Before I Speak is going to be my new mantra.  I have so many words all of the time tumbling around in my head.  From whom much is given, much is required.  If I have been given an abundance of words, then I have also been given the responsibility to make sure they are wisely invested.

3 comments:

  1. Great post!
    I love this quote, "If I have been given an abundance of words, then I have also been given the responsibility to make sure they are wisely invested." What a powerful statement.
    Blessings to you!
    Joy

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  2. Amen! I too loved that last line... such wisdom! INVEST with your words... and you eyes! Such great advice!
    ~Karrilee~

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