Chopping Tomatoes

“The wise woman builds her house,

 

but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”

Proverbs 14:1

The kitchen. Busiest place in our home growing up. That’s where we hung out, talked, doodled, and cooked together. Cooking together as a family… so refreshing.

Each of us had our specialties when it comes to prep-work. What’s your favorite food to prep? I asked my nephew his favorite food to chop. He giggled and said, “Cheese. Get it?”

To this day, I bring a pineapple to dad or my sister when I visit them so they can cut it beautifully for me. My brother is really good at prepping meat. My mom fearlessly takes on the onions.

Mom told me I was good at chopping tomatoes. To this day, I feel confident when taking on that task in the kitchen. It was a simple observation on my mom’s part, but it stuck with me ever since.

Makes me think of spouses who are constantly nit-picked and children who are constantly told they do things wrong.

An example comes to mind. A guy I once dated told me I measure flour the wrong way. Because I had years of people praising my cookies to fall back on, it was easy for me to think, “Look, buddy. I was raised to bake …and my cookies rock.”  But if I was insecure about my baking, I may never have tried again. I’d have thought, “I do this wrong. I’m no good at it.” That’s the power of life and death in our words.

As parents, its easy to be tempted to say, “That’s my wild child” or “She’s the trouble-maker.” Those labels speak prophecy over children and shape how they think of themselves.

However, worse, is when I look at my own tongue. Then I’m convicted of my nit-picking. I often feel like James. Sometimes, I could just chop off my tongue! I hate some of the things that have popped out of this pretty little mouth. If you’re struggling with that like me, lets read James together. Especially chapter three.

“With the tongue, we bless our Lord and Father and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessings and curses. My brothers, this ought not be so!”

James 3:9-10

Words have the power of life and death.

My words have the power of life and death.

My words have the power of life and death.

A wise woman once told me her key to a long-lasting marriage. To my shock, she said it was the taste of blood in her mouth. Lord, help us bite our tongues!

Today, I thank God for tomatoes, my mom, and those kind words. And for all the fans of my cookies.

Today, I ask you, Lord, to help me be the wife and mama who builds up my household with her words. I hate when that foolishness poops out and I tear down my beloved household. Forgive me God and give me strength. Help me rule my tongue! Put your life-giving words in my mouth. I love you, Father. Amen.

Helpful Resources:

• Taming that tongue! Meditate on James 3 this week.

• If you want some incredible parenting wisdom on how your words affect your children, check out this brief Home Training Lesson: The Consequences of Labeling Children from Bible Study Fellowship. It deeply challenged me on even the “good” labels we place on kids. It changed how we think and talk about our kiddoes ever since.

• Cook in the kitchen with your kids! Check out my all-time favorite blog: The Nourishing Home. Kelly’s ministry helps families eat well and cook together. She offers a completely free real-food meal plan every week! We’ve saved money, time, energy and are eating better than ever.