One of my friends picked up a blouse and said “this would look great on you”.
My response, “I can’t wear that color.”
“Why not?”
“Because my mother said I couldn’t.”
She looked at me and started laughing. After all, I am an adult, and yet those words my mother spoke to me still effect the way I live today. Each of us realized that day that we have those things we don’t wear or don’t do because of the words our mother spoke to us. We also realized that most of us have the same experiences of those negative words that were spoken over us that still govern the way we feel, act and live. Sadly most of us don’t even realize it.
Today I was having lunch with a dear friend and I related this to her, as we were talking about mentoring, and ministry. All of a sudden she looked at me and said “do you realize what you just said?” My first thought was “uh oh ...my mouth just got me in trouble again!” But I replied, rather stupidly I’m sure, “umm...no”.
Her words were eye opening to me. “The words your mother spoke to you all those years are still with you and they are a curse not a blessing.” How many times do our words do the same thing?
The light went on...
As a Women’s Ministry leader, as a mother, as a woman, as a mentor isn’t that what I want for the people God places in my life? Don’t I want the words I speak to be a blessing and not a curse over them? Don’t I want to speak words that bring life instead of death?
But how many times do I fail?
How many times do I say a negative word instead of an encouraging word?
What kind of legacy am I leaving for my children, the women God has placed in my life to mentor, or just a stranger I meet on the street?
Deut 30:19 says “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”We need to choose words of life so that our children and those we come in contact with may live with a legacy of blessing.
What about you? Do your words bless or curse?
Oh God, I so want to be a blessing to the women you have placed in my life. May you place your hand over my mouth when I am about to speak a curse instead of a blessing.
You are so right, Sharon. I still struggle because of the words of my mother. It has made me want to be so careful with my own kids. Unfortunately, I am not perfect, and it has helped my heart to soften towards my mom over the years, because I will fail at times. Thankfully, when you have been deeply hurt by parents, it does make you more sensitive, I think. Remember Sue Sarian? I was sharing with her about this once and she said, "Gina, you've broken the cycle! Be encouraged!" I pray that is true!
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