• 10.1.2008
Lesson Learned About Pleasant Speech
Have you ever noticed how God will use our children to teach us the most valuable lessons? Even lessons we think we are teaching them?
Gabriel, my 10 year old, taught me a great lesson the other day.... One that I think the Lord has been trying to teach me for awhile! I noticed over the past month that EACH time I corrected Gabriel's behavior or attitude during homeschool, he made eye contact, listened to my instruction, reprimand, etc., said "yes, mom," corrected the offensive behavior, and with a smile on his face, went back to work! He didn't argue, didn't try to defend himself, didn't get frazzled or upset, just listened! Now, that is what we TEACH them, but there has been much less consistency than this display. After several weeks of this WONDERFUL response, I got curious enough to ask what had changed. He said that he noticed when he got upset or tried to argue when disciplined that he had a hard time completing his work and it took too long to finish his task. He explained that he just decided he would try what Dad and I had been saying, to heed instruction and be "productive" not "destructive" with his attitudes! AMAZING!!!! Out of the mouth of my 10 year old!!
To top it off, several mornings later in my devotions, I found this Scripture... Proverbs 16:21b "...and pleasant speech INCREASES learning." After months, even years of training for a specific response for a specific outcome... here it is in 5 amazing words.... "and pleasant speech INCREASES learning." I chose to take the time to check myself regarding my own speech. I was challenged to recall the moments of instruction when I had been harsh with my words. Most of the time, the only thing I accomplished was getting my point across. Little learning took place. Yet, the moments I chose to use calm and pleasant speech to instruct my children, much more learning was achieved!
Gabriel had learned, by trial and error, that his negitive words and attitudes would not promote learning. In fact, it only caused him to feel bogged down and unmotivated. Yet, when corrected, the results left him feeling no only motivated, but challenged to do his best! It is amazing to me that we train and train and train... then one day it becomes so much more than just something they do because we say so. The training morphs into something they do because they notice the benefit of it! And then the most amazing thing of all... it is at that moment that it STICKS!!!!
To all you wonderful, diligent, struggling homeschool mommies out there... hang in there! It will stick... and the moment it does, you will realize that it really IS worth all the hours, the instruction, the frustration, etc.!
Now I'm off to battle all the other bad habits we need to break!!
Until next time,
Patti
Comments
• 10.1.2008
Untitled Comment
Posted by blessingsundreamtof
What a wonderful epiphany for you both! I can totally relate, too. With baby boy #4 causing the occasional bout of exhaustion, I feel sure my speech is not always pleasant.... and I know our boys' speech lacks pleasantness, too. Thanks for the reminder. Now, I'm going to have a quick devotional using that scripture, share Gabe's experience, and see if it will "stick" with us.
Love as always,
:)Michelle
• 10.1.2008
hear ya!
Posted by Anonymous
Thanks for the comment on my blog. We are excited for what the Lord has in store!
You are so right about our speach and I find myself getting caught up in that and no real learning is done. Thank you for posting your story!
Michelle
• 10.2.2008
from fringey
Posted by Anonymous
Awesome story! So encouraging! Thank you ...
• 10.3.2008
Untitled Comment
Posted by OldPathsMom
What an encouraging post! thank you!
• 11.13.2008
wow
Posted by thornfaith
What a cool kid!
Latte
