Something happened recently that reminded me the words we speak to our children stick with them and shape them for life.

Beginning when Josh was a toddler his daddy rarely left the house without telling Josh he was the man of the house while daddy was gone and Josh was to take care of his mother and sisters.

Josh grew from toddler to teenager hearing words that shaped him into the man he is today.  

A few weeks ago a thief compromised our credit card. I was waiting for a replacement card to be mailed to our home when one of our grands got sick. Firecracker Jack stayed with Amanda and Greg in East Texas while I spent the week helping with our sick grand in the Dallas area.  

At one point I attended an evening event solo with Josh’s family and afterwards when Josh walked me to my car he pulled out his wallet and gave me quite a bit of cash. I assured him I had money and was only driving a short distance but Josh insisted since I didn’t have a credit card. 

As I drove home my heart was filled with gratitude for my thoughtful son. My mind took me back to his younger years when his daddy’s words filled his head with the desire to be a good man by taking care of his mommy and his sisters. 

Our words make a difference.

A physician friend of ours loves to share a story of how his mother’s words helped him achieve his dream of becoming a doctor.  

She always referred to him as Dr. R.

Every morning when he left for elementary school and throughout his high school years his mother would say; 

“Have a good day Doctor R.” 

She envisioned him as a doctor long before he received a medical degree. Her lifelong words convinced him he was capable of becoming a doctor.

“Isn’t it a beautiful morning, Dr. R?”

“How was class this afternoon, Dr. R?”

“You can achieve anything you want in life, Dr. R.”

“Never give up and work hard, Dr. R.”

Years passed and he struggled in med school. Weary and defeated he was convinced he did not have what it took to become a doctor but every time he was about to throw in the towel and quit, his mother’s words echoed in his mind. She believed in him, she knew if he worked hard he could overcome the obstacles and become a doctor. And he did. Today he is a very successful physician. 

Choose your parenting words carefully, some words help, some words hurt.

When our children were small I printed the following quote and kept on my desk for years.

“Children are little people who quickly pass through our lives and become adults”.

These words reminded me that I was shaping a future adult, everything I said and did contributed to that molding. It also helped me remember that time with my children was limited.  Piled up laundry, a messy house and a sink full of dishes would always be part of my life but my sweet children would grow up and one day leave our nest. Looking back I’m glad I cherished every moment, they truly pass by so quickly. 

Another quote that influenced our parenting hung as a cross stich on our wall. 

“Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow 

For children grow up 

We learn to our sorrow

So quiet down cob webs, dust go to sleep

I’m rocking my baby

Cause babies don’t keep”

Babies, toddlers, and teenagers quickly pass through our lives and become adults. 

Let your words influence them while you can and remember:

Some words help. Some words hurt.

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones”

Proverbs 16:24