General Influence
- Anita Delene Manthe
- Aug 18, 2016
- 2 min read
‘You’re stupid’ the girl said to her mother. ‘You’re always exaggerating and making things out to be bigger than they are!’ Her tone was angry, and belligerent. She did not stop there; she continued to pour out words that bit and tour.
Her mom did the same. The discussion between the two was venomous. The interchange continued and it was uncomfortable to listen to what was said, and how it was said.
Have you ever been stuck in a situation like this? It’s ugly.
When this occurs, no one likes to be the audience. Yet, this is a reality for many. They are either participating in the conflict, or they are forced to be a silent participant – like me.
In considering the event, I wondered where and how the child had learned that it was okay to speak to her mother as she did. Why had the father not corrected the child – he was there.
Then I realized – this is normal for them. This is how they speak to one another. This is what home can only be like for them. The daughter speaks to her mother using words she has heard before. She hears her father use them. He does not correct his daughter as he uses the same words, and the same tone. Gratefully my time with this family is limited. I don’t like to listen to such nasty conversation.
However, as I know it will not be too long before our paths cross I need to be prepared. Prayerfully prepared. I need to be praying, and so do you. We need to be waiting for the right time to speak words of grace into the lives of those the Lord brings to us, those whom He allows to cross our path, so that they too can know that change is possible.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29-32)
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