PROVERBS 12:18
Reading this passage brought back many memories of what I used to be like. To everybody else, my relationship with my mom was good. That is because no one knew of the real words I spoke to her. If I even disagreed with her, I would turn the situation into such a huge problem. My reckless words were piercing her like a sword, and it was affecting the dynamics of our entire family. The words I spoke towards my mom were so sharp, negative, and disrespectful that it was impossible for us to have a loving relationship. Of course, my mother was always quick to forgive and show her affection, yet I always pushed her away with my words and attitude. One day the tension between us got so bad that I ran out of the house to take a walk and think things through. I was so sick of living like that, and I was ready to admit that I was terribly wrong. As I walked I couldn’t stop crying because I kept asking myself how I would feel if I had a daughter that treated me like that. The pain I felt was so real, and like Proverbs says, it pierced like a sword. I felt so ashamed and I wanted to change my ways so much. I knew that to make things better I would have to work really hard on watching the words that I said and the way I said them. It was difficult, but I found that if you try saying three good things every time you say a negative thing, your speech will improve remarkably. Today I have an amazing relationship with my mom.
Chloé Truehl, 18, Adelaide, Australia
Why do I hurt people so often with my words?
I want to show Your love, Lord, instead of hate.