Be careful little mouth what you speak.

I could have not been virtuous with a situation that happened yesterday. Something that was said I could have had major backlash one, but I didn't. However I was not exactly virtuous in the item that was posted about on social media. I pierced C's ears knowing that Hubs was not 100% on board with it. I should have honored his wishes and I didn't. He and I have talked about it and we understand where each other is coming from on our views from each side. That isn't the point, the point is I tried to handle the situation in the most virtuous way possible. No one is perfect and I make mistakes as does everyone.

Another way I was very virtuous today was the way I dealt with my children. I stayed calm, with no yelling, and explained things to my children, instead of demanding and saying "because Mommy said so" I explained why I needed them to do certain things or why they need to do it a certain way. The atmosphere of the home and the relationship with my kids was positive I am trying so hard to be the virtuous and Godly mother, wife, and friend that God has made me to be but we all fall. I tried very hard not to fail today.

Be careful little mouth what you say, do you remember singing that song in Sunday school or children's choir? I do and today's verse definitely made me think of this song. I also have to remember that when my children are in my car, or around me when I am on the phone I have to be careful what I say, because their little ears are always listening. Not that I am not being virtuous but that I am not even spoiling things with my kids, or saying things that need to be discussed in private with them in the car, my 6 year old definitely asks a lot of questions if she hears my end of the conversation. I also have to be careful about what I say about people or situations. I cannot tell my children to be polite and non-judgmental if I am being the same way on the phone. I cannot tell my children not to say words such as "stupid" or "shut up" when I say the same words when speaking with certain people. WOW how today's verse really opened my eyes to what I need to do.

Proverbs 31:26

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

 Wow Lord, you really showed me that being virtuous is being KIND! In all situations I need to be kind, in all areas I need to be kind, when I don't want to agree or when I want to yell at someone I need to be kind. When my kids get on my last nerve for yelling at each other, I still need to use kind words. Kindness displays virtue. I need to open my mouth with wisdom. God showed me with this part of the verse that perhaps I should not open my mouth unless I have wisdom to share, and the wisdom should come from GOD especially if it is a questions about things of God or situations I am helping people through. I have a hard time not having my point heard, even if I am wrong I want to tell you my point and why I am right and you are wrong. My hubs and I are the same way in that and causes a lot of clashes and head butting but I grew up in a family where you stand by what you believe and think and you don't let other tell you, you are wrong if you think you are right. I have those issues with my family some now, my views and beliefs have changed over the years and don't always line up with my family's. I am usually a lot more conservative than they are so we tend to clash and they always say things "you were not raised this way" or "When did your beliefs change?" I say this because I am my own person and my relationship with Jesus is different than what it used to be and the way I view life is different. All of that to say this; Use your mouth for wisdom and kindness, if you cannot say anything kind or wise when needed than don't say anything. If your words are going to tear someone down look yourself in the mirror and ask why you are saying the words you are saying and remember you aren't perfect either. The Lord has helped me to remember my children see everything I do, I cannot be a hypocrite. If I say don't do this, and then do it myself what kind of message is that. How can I say God does not go back on his word, when I do not display that in my house. I have to remember I am the first and last thing my children see daily, I must display Godliness and virtue in everything I do. 

~Samantha

PRAYER

Lord, help me to know I am not perfect and forgive people who have not been kind or wise with their words. Help me to be kind and wise in my words and that what I say is used as a way for people to grow and not as a way to hinder. I am not perfect Lord but I want to be virtuous, wise, and kind. I want to live for you and help to remember little eyes are seeing, little ears are listening, and little mouths sometimes repeat what mommy and daddy say. Help me and Hubs to remember that we are the example, and what we do and say speaks volumes to our children. We are their example of Godliness and virtue and help us to display that in everything we do and say. AMEN.