“I have found that people tend to live up, or down, to your expectations.” Cathy Keiran I tried an experiment with my husband. I remember hearing a message called “Bless, Don’t Curse.” The title intrigued me because I thought it was odd for a message to mention cursing. I certainly didn’t curse my friends and loved ones; not even my enemies.
The speaker identified cursing, however, as what we say to others—children, spouses, co-workers, neighbors, and so on—when we’re not happy with something they’ve done, or neglected to do. Our words spoken with little thought to the effect if might have on them, can have negative results—some call it, self-fulfilling prophecy. The speaker used the example of her son. He was of an age where he was tired of his family, embarrassed to be seen with them even in church. He would often ignore his parents and close himself up in his room for hours. One day she decided to stop hounding him to clean his room, and stop harping on him to do his homework. Instead she would think of reasons to compliment him…his art work, his attention to detail, and so on. It took a while but he eventually emerged, spent more time with the family, and smiled at her. I tried this with my husband. Instead of commenting on how he might better load the dishwasher, or a shorter way to get to where we were going, I began to thank him for doing the simplest of chores he did every week. I praised him for a project he did well and told him how good he was at doing searches on the Internet. In no time at all I began to get from him a thank you for a dinner I fixed or he’d set the table while I was cooking. Is there someone in your life that you have been cursing? Are you willing to turn your cursings to blessings and see what might happen? What one saying will you drop…and what one thing will you thank or praise them for? Lord, thank You for creating us with hearts that heal and grow stronger, in much the same way a cut or bruise heals. Amen “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Cathy Keiran (195x- ) an American high-tech professional who formerly spent over ten years in the US Army and Army Reserves; currently a board member of the Matthew Museum of Maine Heritage, Union Fair.
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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