This is a work in progress for me.  I’d like to claim that I have seen improvement in this area, but lately, I’ve been sliding back down that slippery slope.

Sometimes I hate the things that come out of my mouth…. I say things the complete wrong way, and after their out there, I wish I hadn’t said them at all.

I’ve found lately that I cannot tell my daughter things… because she has not learned the ability to discern when to hold her tongue and when to speak.    The other day, we were talking about who our closest relatives were… so I told both her and her brother that I consider them my closest relative, since they were conceived in my body and grew inside me for 9 months until they entered this crazy world…. to which she promptly told her Dad that I considered HER my closest relative, not him.    This hurt his feelings, but it was not the intended way I wanted or even meant for him to hear this.   I had to swallow my pride, apologize and explain what I meant at the time.    Once something is said, it is out there.  There are no take backs…. we have to be sure that what IS coming out of our mouths is kind, gentle and above reproach.

My DH has a relative that constantly is either complaining about life and the things she has to do or making herself out to be a martyr.    In my mind, I really want to tell her to deal with it.  Treat people nicely…. get a real life….your problems, while they seem to be life shattering to you, to most people, they aren’t all that bad.    All the melodrama in her life and in her family….. makes me thank God more that my life is “sane and normal”…. LOL.   But will I ever say this out loud to her…. nope.   It’s not edifying.   Do I get tired of hearing her tirades, yes, but what’s the saying “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. ”

I like how she goes back to the Philippians 4:8 verse I used earlier.  Is what you say true?  Is it noble?  Is it just?  Is it pure?  Is it lovely? Is it of good report?  Is it virtuous?   Is it praiseworthy?  If not, don’t let it exit your mouth.   pray that God would take those thoughts away from your mind at all if they are not one of those.

Lord, help me in all I do to be more edifying to the people I meet.   Lord, remind me that things that I say that are hurtful to my husband, my kids, my friends, my coworkers…. I am hurting you just as well.   Please help me to watch what my tongue says and help me to apply the Philippians 4:8 verse to everything I say. In Jesus’ name, Amen.