Smith School

What we've learned at the Smith House this weekend:

That 3 dollar rubber stamps from walmart were a great 'investment' and are also a great way to practice counting and keep my child entertained for a good while.

That I can feel a bit too productive after finishing certain tasks. Like organizing my bedroom hutch. And cleaning out my closet. I've been bragging about accomplishing those tasks as if I've done something truly difficult. Like if I had built my own farmhouse coffee table or something impressive and daunting like cleaning out my messy vehicle.
That playing card games with Annette provides lots of teachable moments. We matched the numbers, made red and black patterns, and (tried to) put them in order. My mom started this game with her at the beach and cards are still one of her favorite things to play with.

That Charlie is a victim of big sister hand me downs. Sometimes anyways. He sits in a pink chair, has a purple paci, and wears some of his sister's clothes. Thanks, Ada, for the cool JDRF shirt. Love that it is so gender neutral.

 

That my daughter makes a cute Tinkerbell. Important fact to learn:)

That Charlie can hit the ball off a tee. At 16 months. In pajamas. I think that's pretty neat.

That lime green seersucker makes this momma feel happy inside. And that taking pictures of my two squirmers is ALMOST impossible.

That rough housing with Dad on a Sunday afternoon is as fun as Christmas morning to Charlie.

And on a more serious note, I was schooled this morning. At church.  The lesson was on the power of the tongue. How destructive and powerful it can be. This is something I've struggled with for a looong time. I have a bad habit of speaking before I think. The term 'thinking out loud' is an understatement for me. This type of communication can be good for teaching little ones, but dangerous and/or harmful in most other situations. I've said lots of things I wish I could take back. Way back and recently.  It's probably my biggest struggle. These verses have been on my mind.

Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Mat. 12:34)

Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

James 3

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire....

I feel like the best way for me to tame my tongue is to fill my heart up with God's Word. And ask God to help me be slow to speak.

I am writing some of these verses around my house. To keep God's Word on my mind and in my heart. As I'm playing my different roles as Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, and Friend, I want to use my tongue wisely. I'ts not a new lesson to me, but one that I need to be reminded of daily. Definitely, my biggest lesson of the week.

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