Potty Mouth

Along the Journey

As a parent, it is important to watch what we say and what we do. Little ears and little eyes are listening! I remember saying a bad word in front of Nick when he was only 2 years old. He had no idea what the word meant but he heard mommy say it so he made a little song out of it. I was so embarrassed! I NEVER made that mistake again. From that moment on, I never said anything in Nick's presence that I wouldn't want him to repeat.

As he got older, I had to think about my actions as well as my words. If Nick heard me tell a lie... why wouldn't it OK for him to lie? If he heard me gossip... why would it be wrong for him to gossip? If I say a bad word... why would it be wrong for him to say a bad word? If I cheat, steal, am slow to forgive, covet, have physical relations outside of marriage, abuse drugs and alcohol, etc... why would it be wrong for Nick to do any of these things?

I have been guilty of doing many of the things that I would never want my son to do. But, the moment Nick made up the little song after hearing me say a bad word, I became very aware of my behavior. I wanted to set a good example so I stopped any behavior that I did not want him to emulate (or use later to justify his actions). It only took one little song to change my way of thinking (well... it was a REALLY bad word) and to change my behavior.

God has really put this on my heart a lot recently. I feel that He is saying, "Since you know that this behavior is wrong and are careful around children, why aren't you more careful around all of My children?" OK - well that's a big "tisk-tisk" from my Father and it reminded me of something my brother said to me a few years ago.

I know a lot of people who lie, cheat, steal, etc. but claim to be Christians. My brother, who does not exhibit this behavior, is not a Christian. It saddens me so much that my brother is not a believer. One day when I was talking to him about it he said, (referring to those who say they are Christians but behave so badly) "If this is what it's about... I want no part of it."

I think this is what God has been trying to tell me recently and He is challenging me to question my behavior AT ALL TIMES. If I gossip or hold a grudge, what does that say to those around me? What about new believers? What kind of example would I be setting? We are to be disciples of Christ. How can I be an effective disciple if I am not exhibiting Christ-like behavior?

To Think About: What do your words and actions say about who you are and Who you belong to? Do you guard your words around children but not around adults? Will you step up to the challenge with me so, as sisters-in-Christ, we can hold each other accountable and display true Christ-like behavior to everyone God places within our sphere of influence!

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn