What our words can build

We opened our Bible study booklets to discuss the lesson we all personally worked through this morning, as quiet music played in the background.

These moments. This is what matters the very most for today - beyond school work, work tasks, appointments.

A conversation on prayer—examples given that I pray will resonate with them for years to come, if the Lord wills.

I remember, it was the words of my own mother that the Lord used to stop me in my path to destruction and turn me back to pursuing all that is good and right and true.

A mother’s words.

They flow like a ready stream all day long—the dishes must be done, the dog taken out, an explanation of a math lesson, a book read aloud.

Words are not lacking from a mother’s lips.

They can turn to clanging symbols in a flash, or they can be what literally builds up a foundation to a life-long faith.

They are sprinkled daily with countless imperfections yet, when covered by prayer they can take deep root that springs forth the most beautiful blossoms.

What will we cultivate, what intention do I daily give?

Parenting can feel a lot like that one day at the beach— the waves pounded against my back on the ocean’s shore, once even carrying me up on the sandy shore, I couldn’t find my ground.

We brace we try to get ahead, but we find ourselves being washed back and covered over our heads with the enormous responsibilities we daily face.

But what anchors us in the midst of rolling waves?

Perhaps to remind ourselves of the why— the eternal opportunity that daily is presented to us.

We keep running our race, we hold fast to grace, and we keep watchful eye for the moments the Lord invites us into a meaningful, tangible moment to administer that grace.

The key that I must rely on more and more?

What’s inside - in the deepest parts of us - is what will spill out when squeezed.

What effort do I daily give to be filled with what is right, good and true? That it may be what spills from me to the little ears and hearts that are always near.

The state of our own hearts will determine the theme of what is poured into the ready vessels of our children’s hearts.

What will they be filled with today?