Acceptable Words

Bible Reading: Psalm 19:12-14; Colossians 4:6

Isabela peeked over her brother’s shoulder at the picture he was drawing. “Hey, that’s pretty good! But you need to color in that bit of sky you missed in the corner or turn it into a cloud.”

“You’re so bossy!” Matías shot back. “I don’t care what you think, so stop trying to tell me what to do!” Isabela’s eyes filled with tears, and she left the room.

That afternoon, Isabela played at a friend’s house while Matías and Mom went to a greenhouse. “Why don’t you look around while I find the stuff I need?” Mom said.

Matías wandered around, looking at various plants. “Come see our mimosas,” one of the workers said. He pointed to some spiky green plants, and Matías went over to see them. “Blow on one of those,” the man said.

Puzzled, Matías blew. He was surprised to see the plant’s leaves suddenly curl up. “Did I hurt it?” he asked in alarm.

“No, it will be fine,” the worker assured him. “These plants respond to possible injury by curling their leaves. That keeps them from being harmed by insects or rain. It doesn’t take much to cause them to curl up.”

Matías was fascinated by the plants, and he told Mom about them as they drove home.

“From what you say, I think those mimosa plants must be a little like your sister,” Mom said.

“Like Isabela?” asked Matías. “How?”

“They’re very sensitive,” Mom replied. “When you blow on mimosa leaves, they curl up. And Isabela…” Mom paused.

Matías laughed. “Isabela doesn’t curl up when I blow on her.”

“No, she doesn’t curl into a ball,” said Mom, “but when you say harsh, unkind words to her, she’s hurt deep inside and she withdraws to avoid being hurt more. We’ve talked about this before, but I’ve noticed that you might have forgotten.”

Matías sighed. “I’m sorry, Mom,” he said quietly. “I’ll tell Isabela I’m sorry too.”

“Good,” said Mom. “Depend on Jesus to help you be kind to Isabela and love her like He does. Then your words can help her grow instead of making her wilt.” – Karen S. Birt

How About You?

What kind of words have you used today? Did the things you say make others grow—or shrivel up? Jesus wants you to say things that build others up, not things that tear them down. He will help you show His love to others through your words—even when they do something you don’t like. He’ll give you the power to say words that are acceptable to Him—and acceptable to others too.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth…be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Use words to help, not hurt