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Last week at Super Wal-Mart, the lady walking the aisle in front of me sharply told her son to STOP CLIMBING ON THE GROCERY CART!!! I had to smile. I’ve been through that scenario way too many times. An older gentlemen passed by her and commented to me with pleasant sarcasm, “Oh, the joys of parenthood.” I had to smile again as I replied, “Oh, I have ten of them!” He laid a gentle hand on my arm and said rather dramatically, “Bless you!” I took this to mean, “I’m amazed you’re still alive, but you sure are crazy!” I sure laughed hard after that!
A few minutes later, I bumped into my old friend Val, who is very pregnant with her sixth baby. By “coincidence” Val asked me, “How do you respond when people question you about the size of your family? What do you say when they make comments like, ‘You sure have your hands full!’ or ‘How in the world do you do it?’” I get these remarks more times than I can count, and usually reply with pleasant humor and an acknowledgement of God‘s grace in my life. I don’t think we’re always aware of how words like these affect others. I received a sweet note from a friend this week sharing how much she appreciated my response to someone else, which she had overheard at church. I think I said something simple like, “I didn’t think I could handle another baby, but I guess God has other ideas.” I don’t even remember the conversation, but it made an impression on my friend. Likewise, her simple encouragement really blessed me, too!
Sisters, please let’s think about how to “season our conversations with salt” so that others will be edified. This can be easier in public than in private. I know I’m especially guilty for NOT being sweet enough to my own family, and they really are the most important people. If I say that my children are blessings, I need to treat them like blessings all the
time!
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