Under Construction

"You're stupid!" were the words out K's mouth this morning as we were getting ready for breakfast.  He was talking to M and I'm not even sure why he said that other than he's a big brother and that's what brothers do sometimes.  Still saying stupid isn't okay in our house.  I immediately seized the moment to teach K (again) and M about the importance of our our words.  Proverbs 16:24 says Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

I brought the boys to their room and pulled out the blocks.  I explained that each block represented our words and the wall we were building represented the other person.  In my first example, it represented K.  I said that each kind word I say to him builds him, makes him stronger, makes him feel happy inside.  Each mean word I say, not only doesn't build him up, but it tears down some of what we built together.  We took turns saying kind things and then putting them on our wall.  When I said, "Your stupid" I made sure to knock a couple extra blocks off the wall.  We then did that for M and M got so excited to add blocks and say kind words too.

Proverbs 18:21 says Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose.  We talked about the unkind words and how they hurt others and we can't take them back.  Kind words heal and build up.  I think it was a good visual for Kenan.

What kinds of words are you choosing today?  Are you choosing words that are life giving or words that tear down?