Since I was a little girl, I have always been told to pay attention to the tone of my voice and how I speak to others.
I come from a line of strong-willed women who weren’t afraid to speak – and that fearlessness can be my biggest strength and my biggest weakness.
As a mother, I sometimes find that I am too quick to go from zero to ten, the level of my voice escalating louder and more passionate than is necessary.
Can anyone else relate to this?
My tone and reaction has nothing to do with how much I love my two children (so much that they make my heart want to burst) and everything to do with my personality and how I was raised. But motherhood has a way of surprising oneself with a forced look in the mirror.
Over the years, I have found myself becoming acutely aware of all of this. I recognize when my response does not match the situation and almost as quickly as my voice rises, an apology follows.
I yearn to teach my children well and be an example of how to speak to others. Yelling is almost never appropriate and so I work to speak gently, but firmly, without raising my voice.
After reading this series of posts, I began to pray more about my words. I asked the Lord to make me a more mindful mother.
To be aware of what my children need and how I respond to them.
To respond gently, patiently and appropriately.
To deep breathe when I find myself getting frustrated and to be aware of my body’s response to stressful situations.
To be mindful.
Through the messiness of motherhood, I am slowly cultivating a spirit of quiet intentionality in how I speak to my children. It’s not perfect and it’s definitely a story unfinished, but I pray that more of my words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the bodies of loved ones. (Proverbs 16:24).
[ts_fab]
2,833 Comments
Since I was a little girl, I have always been told to pay attention to the tone of my voice and how I speak to others.
I come from a line of strong-willed women who weren’t afraid to speak – and that fearlessness can be my biggest strength and my biggest weakness.
As a mother, I sometimes find that I am too quick to go from zero to ten, the level of my voice escalating louder and more passionate than is necessary.
Can anyone else relate to this?
My tone and reaction has nothing to do with how much I love my two children (so much that they make my heart want to burst) and everything to do with my personality and how I was raised. But motherhood has a way of surprising oneself with a forced look in the mirror.
Over the years, I have found myself becoming acutely aware of all of this. I recognize when my response does not match the situation and almost as quickly as my voice rises, an apology follows.
I yearn to teach my children well and be an example of how to speak to others. Yelling is almost never appropriate and so I work to speak gently, but firmly, without raising my voice.
After reading this series of posts, I began to pray more about my words. I asked the Lord to make me a more mindful mother.
To be aware of what my children need and how I respond to them.
To respond gently, patiently and appropriately.
To deep breathe when I find myself getting frustrated and to be aware of my body’s response to stressful situations.
To be mindful.
Through the messiness of motherhood, I am slowly cultivating a spirit of quiet intentionality in how I speak to my children. It’s not perfect and it’s definitely a story unfinished, but I pray that more of my words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the bodies of loved ones. (Proverbs 16:24).
[ts_fab]
2,833 Comments
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on June 17, 2013 at 10:17 am
Yes, this someone else can relate. This is a story I’m living as I stumbling through mothering my 3.5 and 1.5 year olds! Thanks for telling your story 🙂
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on June 17, 2013 at 11:13 am
Thanks Jessica….Man, I so wish I didn’t relate to this post at all. But I do. Around our house, we always discuss erring on the side of love and gentleness.
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on June 17, 2013 at 11:18 am
Love this Jessica. Oh, how I can relate. I’ve been convicted lately in the same area and have been making an effort to change, grateful that God’s grace is more than sufficient and that He gives us the power through His son to overcome. Beautifully written. Thank you for this.
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on June 17, 2013 at 2:25 pm
Boy did I need to read this today. Thank you for sharing so honestly; it does my heart good to be in the company of others.
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on June 17, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Oh yes. You pretty much described me. Thanks for speaking truth into my life today.
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on June 18, 2013 at 10:57 pm
I love this verse — one of my favorites. I think I just said to my fighting daughters this morning… “are those words like honey?” But, all too often I need this reminder. Oh, I do.
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on June 21, 2013 at 6:58 am
This has been on my heart lately too. The verse I kept focusing on yesterday was Luke 6:45. I keep thinking that I have a major heart condition if the only thing that comes out of my mouth sounds like a miserable annoyed mother. Great post. You are not alone on this one!
Yes, this someone else can relate. This is a story I’m living as I stumbling through mothering my 3.5 and 1.5 year olds! Thanks for telling your story 🙂
Thanks Jessica….Man, I so wish I didn’t relate to this post at all. But I do. Around our house, we always discuss erring on the side of love and gentleness.
Love this Jessica. Oh, how I can relate. I’ve been convicted lately in the same area and have been making an effort to change, grateful that God’s grace is more than sufficient and that He gives us the power through His son to overcome. Beautifully written. Thank you for this.
Boy did I need to read this today. Thank you for sharing so honestly; it does my heart good to be in the company of others.
Oh yes. You pretty much described me. Thanks for speaking truth into my life today.
I love this verse — one of my favorites. I think I just said to my fighting daughters this morning… “are those words like honey?” But, all too often I need this reminder. Oh, I do.
This has been on my heart lately too. The verse I kept focusing on yesterday was Luke 6:45. I keep thinking that I have a major heart condition if the only thing that comes out of my mouth sounds like a miserable annoyed mother. Great post. You are not alone on this one!