You Wanna What?

You Wanna What?

Have you ever realized as you were speaking that your brain and your tongue weren’t working together? Sometimes a misfiring synapse can cause you to say something really silly. Other times it allows words to escape that you immediately regret. Our words can be powerful—for good or for bad—especially in our families.

One evening, after a particularly long, tiring day, a dad realized he must’ve left his brain at work. He arrived home to eat dinner with his family. His wife had other commitments, so Dad served the meal and sat down to eat. However, his five-year-old started complaining. Usually not a picky eater, she fought against eating her dinner, which was usually one of her favorites. The dad tried again and again to explain that she was complaining about something she usually liked! Finally, his patience wore thin. He stood up, raised his voice, and said, “Do you wanna fight me about this?” What he meant to say was “Do you wanna argue with me about this?” But his brain and his tongue weren’t cooperating. His daughter stared silently, too stunned to speak. Her fear, which was not the response Dad was expecting, forced him to rewind the words in his brain. Once he realized what he had said, his daughter’s response melted him. He faced a choice: apologize for his carelessness, or pretend that her stubbornness caused him to lose his temper.

He apologized.

Today, his family laughs about this story, knowing that what he said and what he meant were two different things. The Bible warns fathers not to aggravate their children (see Colossians 3:21). Some versions of that verse say not to “embitter,” “provoke,” or “make your children resentful.”

The words a dad uses can build up or provoke his children. We have to be willing—dads and daughters—to apologize and make things right when our mouths and minds don’t work together. There may be nothing more important than for a family to learn repentance, grace, and forgiveness with each other.

Daddy-Daughter Time

Daughters, now would be a good time to share if you have any past hurts that have not been settled between you and your dad. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:26 that we shouldn’t let the sun go down on our anger. It’s better to deal with these hurts as soon as possible.

Dads, ask God to give you a heart willing to say, “I’m sorry.” Without your willing heart, some hurts can last far too long.

What’s The Word?

Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.   Colossians 3:21