Daily Menu

What would you choose for your daily fare? Do you want a terrific or terrible day?

 I would like a terrific day, of course! However, because of bad habits I may have fallen into without much thought given to them, I possibly may contribute to a terrible day without even realizing it. A couple of wise counselors told me a few years ago that I needed to welcome the morning and greet my family warmly with a smile on my face and teach my children to do the same and then find at least one thing during the day to praise each of my family members for.

One trap I've struggled to overcome is hoof-in-mouth-disease. For example, I want my guys to do and be the best they can be, which in itself is not a bad thing, however, it's the way I approach their behavior that can rain on their mood. If I critique it, thinking I can encourage them to do better, my fussing may do the opposite of what I intend. Others have told me, that sometimes I leave them feeling judged by what I said to them and, because they misunderstood my intent,  I shriveled with embarrassment inside and cried for both of us. While I still don't have a good grip on the technique of encouragement, I try to remember, at least, to thank my family for the nice things they do instead.

 I've read books and I've studied the scriptures for the how-to's of gracious speech. Several verses that stood out were -

 Ephesians 4:29 says "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Proverbs 10:21 says "The lips of the righteous nourish many."

James 3:5-6 says "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire,"

 The company my husband works for had a motivational meeting they required their employees to attend complete with handouts. My husband brought one of them home for me, knowing I like such things, and it gave me food for thought. On one side of the worksheet is a daily menu on "How to Have a Terrific Day" and the other "How to have a Terrible Day." On the good day side were things to do to whet our appetite for a terrific day, thanksgiving being one of them; an entrée, counting our blessings; and dessert; peace of mind and satisfaction! I thought it was such a great list, I had to slip it inside a clear document sleeve and post it on my frig!

 1. So today I'm gonna thank God he allowed me to wake up this morning -- "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~ Lamentations 3:22-23.

2. I thank God for my husband and son because they have the endurance of Job. J
3. I thank God for the availability of the Holy Scriptures in my language so that I may study it and glean the way of right living from its treasure store of wisdom. May He continue to renew my mind and give me kind lips.
4. I thank God for forgiving friends.
5. I thank God for the great example of my in-laws of how to stay married despite the ups and downs of life. They are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this week!