So the other day I realized how much easier my life would be if I just took my own advice…
Common phrases I repeatedly use with my children that I need to apply to my own life and relationships:
“Use your words.”
I often tell my kids this when they are so upset they throw a fit or throw things in frustration. I can’t help them if I don’t know what they need help with. They have to explain exactly what the problem is if they expect me to fix it. Getting upset and expecting someone else to “figure it out” is unrealistic.
“Jesus said ‘Be nice to others. Even when they’re not nice to you.’”
We’re all human and as humans, we make bad choices. I’ve been done wrong, I’ve done wrong. You’ve been done wrong, you’ve done wrong. Its when we let go of the ‘right’ to get revenge that we are set free to restore a broken relationship. Loving people hurts, but in most cases, its worth it. Besides, nothing is better than seeing the bewildered look on a would-be enemy’s face when you’re nice to them.
“People are more important than things.”
If Billy wants the ball, let him play with the ball. Its your ball. You’ll get it back. If the ball meets its demise, big deal. Its just a thing. Don’t make Billy feel bad for ruining your ball. You can buy another ball. Billy is one of a kind. Things are temporal. People are eternal. Act like it.
I just need to keep the Main Thing the main thing. Life works better that way.
