Can you please do me a favor?
I don't think you even realize just how powerful your words are. Especially to women and children.
I would like you to take a minute and hear me out. I'm calling out men in particular because your words stick to hearts and are super powerful!
That whole poem of "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is LIE! Words do hurt. Terribly!
As a dad or step dad to a little girl, your negative words can affect her for the rest of her life. I am a product of that. I was called "dummy" growing up. It wasn't supposed to be a put down, but guess what? I always felt dumb. (Honestly, I still do most days.)
Girls need to hear the positive stuff, "You are beautiful." "You are smart." "You can do anything you set your mind to."
As a father of a little girl, if you tear her down, she will live defeated. If you build her up, she will have confidence and go far in life. It's just that simple.
Of course, a son needs to hear his dad tell him that he's smart and becoming a man. It empowers boys to hear this from the man who is supposed to love them unconditionally.
If you see a real issue with one of your children, the best thing to do is talk to them privately about it. Saying negative things in front of people is embarrassing to say the least, and causes additional problems. (Like giving a sibling something to pick on that child about.) What you say affects that child deeply. Use your words wisely.
Guys, here is the thing... children tend to base their opinions of God on their earthly dad.
Yep! Ask any adult that is not a Christian or who won't step foot in a church.
They had an abusive dad, one who punished them for nothing, one who yelled all the time... so if God is our "Heavenly Father", they don't want anything to do with Him.
Therefore, they think God is a bully. All He does is wait for you to do wrong so He can send down some form of punishment: cancer, a break up, money issues, etc. Which is so far from the truth! OMG! Other people are scared to death of God and afraid to mess up because then He might strike them down with lightening.
God is NOTHING like any human male on this planet.
(Can I get an amen and thanks be to Him for that?)
I realize it's a tall order. But it is what it is.
Wait... but you aren't a dad.
No problem. There are women and children in your life who need your positive words. We have enough negative mean people in this world. Why not do something different? Stand out and stand up for women and children they need you!
Proverbs 12: 18 says, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Proverbs 15:4 says, "Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit."
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