What I Communicate. . . This Really Got Me Wednesday

I breathed in quickly and forcefully released the air. Frustration flashed across my selfish heart. I swallowed.

“Let’s think about that later,” the edge in my voice was mostly gone. “I have a paper to write.”

My daughter looked down, then silently nodded, and wandered away to play. I turned back to the bright computer screen.

Later I breathed in again and before I could speak she told me, “When you do that I feel bad.”

Her words pierced my heart. I was not sighing or annoyed with her, but I was frustrated and I let it show. And my precious girl interpreted my frustration as anger and disappointment towards her.

“I am sorry sweetheart, I love you and am proud of you. I don’t want to hurt you. Please forgive me,” I hugged her.

I forget that my actions and words can either be gifts or daggers. They can build-up and encourage my children, friends, coworkers, and husband or they can tear them down.

This does not mean that I don’t sometimes say the difficult things. It just means I say them in love. It means I think about my tone, my sighs, and my body language. I ask what am I communicating and is it what I want to communicate. Sometimes I need ask for forgiveness or explain my behavior. Mostly I need to think before I communicate at all, think and pray.

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

Perhaps even reckless tones, sighs, and body language should be included too. May all our communication be drenched in the grace of God.

What are you communicating?

That really got me this week. Link-up and tell me how God really got you this week. I can’t wait to hear.