I have, all too often, watched the brokenness appear in my daughters eyes after words, sharp treacherous words, have spilled out of my mouth. I know when I have done it by the prick in my heart and by the shadow that falls across her tender face. I know I have done it, sometimes, even before the words escape me and I feel powerless to control their mutiny. Of course, I know I am not powerless. I can make the decision to keep those words away, particularly when I know they won’t do any good and we’ll both only feel worse in the aftermath. Unfortunately, there are days when we make the decision to let the knives fly loose and cut the nearest, and often smallest, recipient. Our words are the closest reflection of the activities of our souls. If the eyes are its windows, then words are the residents that live there, a product of their surroundings, and the mouth is the gate of their coming and going. I was recently challenged by a friend of mine to write a “benediction,” if you, will for girls – a word for a mom or dad to speak over their daughters as a way to instill God’s Words and Truth at the forefront of their minds in a repetitive fashion. The inspiration was Priscilla Shirer’s words she speaks over her boys; the challenge was to make it more suited for girls. At the time she asked, I had already been working on ways to actively restrain my angry words and replace them with some that are more positive; and the best words are the ones already written by the Hand of God. So here are my affirmative Scripture-based statements for my girlies. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. There is so, so much more you could say. It was very hard to narrow it down to just these few! But, feel free to use, tweak, or share what I've put together. I encourage you to write it down on an index card (or see below for a FREE DOWNLOAD of my version) and put it somewhere in your house where you will remember to speak it over them in the morning. Maybe it’s in the car on the way to school. Maybe it’s around the breakfast table. If you were my mom you would put it to a silly tune and sing it to us very early in the morning as our wake-up call. Whatever it is, the important thing is repetition. And, better yet, do as Priscilla does and have them repeat it back to you line for line. Each truth is taken directly from scripture; I have included the references here. I encourage you to look them up and pray the truths over your kiddos, as well. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) You are a strong woman of noble character (Proverbs 31:10, 25) You will crown yourself with wisdom, truth, humility, and love. (James 3:17; Gal. 5:22-23) You will sing praises to God, the King of all the earth. (Psalm 47:6-7) You will trust in the Lord, and He will guard you and keep you and you will stand firm. (Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Cor. 16:13) Do you like it? If so, click the image below to download a FREE PRINTABLE of my selection of Scripture statements!
NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! What would you add or change? Is there something you say to your children that speaks the truth of God’s Word into their hearts? If this is something you already do, when do you find is the best time to do it? And what do you say?
5 Comments
Karyn
5/17/2016 02:04:40 pm
I haven't seen/heard of this (even Priscilla Shirer's version), but this is something that I now intend to include in my every day dealings with my girls. I, too, find myself speaking words I wish I could retract, and this is an excellent way to curb that before it begins. Thank you for being vulnerable, and thank you for sharing this tool!
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3/9/2020 04:37:17 am
God is always here for us, I know that much. I feel like there are lots of people out here who have no idea what it is that God is doing, and it is making me angry. I want people to realize just what God is doing. There is nothing in this world that is not meant to be. God knows that he is doing, and he is the entity that keeps us alive, or at least this is how I see it.
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Amy Dunham
5/18/2016 01:51:58 pm
Thanks for reading, Karyn! I am so glad this is something you will use. I know I really need this kind of thing CONSTANTLY!
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Judy Gustin
6/16/2016 06:36:56 am
Amy you are wise beyond your years. First I would like to say that I did not hear the words you did or did not hear from my father or mother. My Dad did give me tidbits that have never left me. I am pretty sure I did better with my kids , the prayers , praying for their mate from a very young age. Tried to be Godly in life at every opportunity I could teach them to not hate and to treat all people the same. As I think my parents taught me that also. The only thing I would add to you benidiction for a daughter is " you are a daughter of the King" .
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There are some interesting points in time in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article, thanks and we want more! Added to Feed Burner as well
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