The Start of the Day

The morning started like many others, but that didn’t last long. I went into the bathroom to take my shower; Greg was at the sink brushing his teeth. After waiting a couple minutes he was done and about to leave; that’s when I noticed the towel on the floor. “Stop putting towels on the floor; Mom just got a new rug for the floor,” I said. It was a simple request; he had been told before, but I always seem to find towels on the floor.

Instead of a cheerful, “Good morning,” my first words were angry. This set the stage for the rest of the morning. Greg had caught a contagious attitude from me. Pearl read a couple verses and we prayed, but there was still a noticeable tension between Greg and me.

Our drive to school was filled with the discussion of our need for teamwork in the morning; even the girls chimed in. If each of the older kids could help Courtney with her lunch and they all co-operated doing their part then we could have our prayer time and be ready to leave by 8:15 instead of rushing to school at 8:30.

Greg must have felt ganged up on; his attitude didn’t improve. I realized this all started with a towel on the bathroom floor and my first words to my son.

• We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
  James 3:2 (NIV)

Guilty; I’m not perfect in the things I say. It certainly shows today. How has your day started? Have you started on the right foot or with your foot in your mouth?

What we say is as important as how we say it. Saying the right thing requires the right timing and attitude, and sometimes saying the right thing means saying nothing at all.

Sometimes we just need to keep our thoughts to ourselves and not let our tongue get us into trouble; gossiping, bragging, sweet talking, complaining, lying, putting people down are just some example of things that may be better unsaid. Before you open your mouth ask yourself, “Is what I say true? Is it kind? Does it need to be said or should I keep it to myself?” If we wait before we speak, we are more likely to speak the truth in love.

You’ll be glad to know that before Greg went into school we had another talk that ended with a hug. Both of us said two important things: “I’m sorry” and “I love you.” It’s going to be a great day.