Mother’s Day

“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of sliver.” Proverbs 25:11

‍ ‍It was Mother’s Day, and I found myself squished between all my kiddos on the couch, getting ready to open their homemade gifts. One by one I opened my children’s masterpieces, and with one more gift left, I slowly opened the last Mother’s Day card. Looking at the rainbow and crayoned flowers drawn at the bottom of the page, I found a small booklet enclosed within the card!  Some people would call it a Bible track. * That was exactly what it was! The title read “The Angry Machine!”

 “The Angry Machine!” No one wants to receive anything like this, especially on Mother’s Day. This track revealed an issue that I was dealing with. Humbly and sinking into the couch, I tucked the booklet away smiling. I had to smile because everyone was looking at me while I was opening the card! I laugh about it now, but to be honest, I needed that gentle rebuke wrapped in love.

Looking back on that day I remember very clearly, my child’s eyes were filled with hope as I had opened the card. Maybe hoping that the heartwarming picture, and the track titled “The Angry Machine” would give me some guidance in becoming a better mama. Later on, he shared with me that as he read the track, it encouraged him. He thought that maybe it would help me too. I tucked that lesson away and hid it in my heart. Sometimes, humble moments can be the best of moments. Especially, if you learn from them, and truth spoken in love can be a great gift...even on Mother’s Day.

Learn With Me

Giving them an understandable answer for their level

It’s not just the tone, but it’s an understanding of where they are at. That is what helps keep the tone soft.

“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 15:1 mentions the words “soft answer” This word “soft” gives the usage of: weak, delicate, and tender (of flesh). Weak of flesh, meaning: delicate, especially in body of children and implying weakness of undeveloped character. In short, your answer should be tender. As if you are talking to a delicate child who is developing their character ever so slowly. Gen33:13 “But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Here the word “weak” comes from the same root word “soft” This verse gives you a picture of how fragile children can be. I can give answers all day, but are they “soft”? Am I acknowledging that I may be talking to someone who is learning or doesn’t have the strength, the will, and perseverance like I do? I will leave you with this, A soft answer turns away heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath, poison, and bottles of heat. These descriptive words come from the Hebrew word “wrath”

Take aways:

“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

It’s not just the tone but it’s the understanding of where they are at. That is what helps keep the tone soft.

Responding in this “soft manner” will cause one to return back, away from wrath and towards restoration, refreshment, and repair.

I hope this encourages you. Praying for you.

Till again,

Catherine

Bible tracks* Typically, they are small booklets about certain topics that are meant to help you understand something. If not careful, some tracks give false information while others, speak Truth.