war of the words

We had a "family meeting"  or as my husband calls it, a "comin to Jesus meeting" on New Year's eve.  My boys were just non stop attacking each other with their words.  It seems that no amount of hearing me say "friends will come and go but you will be brothers forever, take care of each other" was going to change their attitudes on that particular day. 

Evening came and finally Hubby had had ENOUGH.  So we had a family meeting.  At the end of the meeting, everyone seemed to really be getting it.  We decided as a family that in 2013 our goal will be to use our words wisely, to use our words to help not hurt.  We pulled down the verse over my kitchen sink and read it to the boys. Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only that which is helpful for the building up others according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen."  We decided as a family that would be our theme verse for the year.

So our family goal in 2013 is to say words that benefit the person listening to us, words that will build each other up and words that will build up those around us.  We all agreed to THINK before we speak.....

T-is it true

    H-is it helpful

       I-is it inspiring

          N-is it necessary 

K-is it kind

Often words are true but not helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind.  We want to work on those last ones and when we do speak the truth to each, we will speak it in love not anger.

And finally, I saw these two quotes on Facebook and they were just too good to not share....

and this one....