If I shall speak with every human and Angelic language and have no love in me, I shall be clanging brass or a noise-making cymbal. -1 Corinthians 13:1
As a mom, I sometimes see the pitfalls my children are headed for, and in my zeal and haste to keep them from ending up in a very bad place, I tend to preach, harp, nag, yell, and shove advice down their throats, which I might add is rarely “swallowed” because it’s not done in love and kindness.
Just this morning, I was “preaching” to my nine-year old about controlling his temper. He became very sullen and quiet. In that moment, God showed me that I was wounding him…not helping him.
After my little ‘sermonette’, I said, with sadness in my voice and some tears, “I love you son! You are the light of my old life! I get after you because I love you!”
Those few words of kindness and love, made all the difference in the world! He understood that I love him…that I care for him. His whole demeanor changed.
The Bible says in Proverbs chapter 3: “For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.”
Correct your children…but do it with love and kindness!
After all…that’s how Jesus corrects us…
Anita