CHECK MATE

It’s no secret, I have a potty mouth. A really really bad potty mouth. When Boogey was younger and still the only child, I tried my best not to curse around him. However, being that Boogey was a very challenging child to parent, cursing was my outlet when I was frustrated. I always brushed it off by saying, “I’m just going to be that cursing mom”. Occasionally Boogey would repeat a word here and there. He would be punished for it and I would use that wonderful default excuse of – I’m grown and I can say what I want, you can’t. 

One day, after my grandmother passed, Boogey was missing her and began asking a series of questions about heaven. 

He asked, “can God and Grandmother hear us when we sing”?

“Of course, she can,” I said with assurance.

…all the while I’m thinking, wow! This is such a beautiful mother-son moment…

He looks at me and says, “So I guess they can hear you cussin’ up there too…”

Yea, checkmate…he turns and walks away…

James 3:10-12 states, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both freshwater and saltwater flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce freshwater”.

How can I sing songs of worship with my son and then use those same lips to curse? It didn’t matter if those words were used during a moment of anger or during a gossip-filled conversation with my best friend. How can freshwater and saltwater flow from the same spring?

         It was a very direct reminder of how God will chin check us when we least expect it. How was my language affecting Boogey? Was he internalizing those words? It prompted a sit-down conversation with him. We both agreed to be mindful of the words we use and we prayed that God will help us use the power of our words to uplift and encourage those around us. 

-PSA-

NOW, as I said in the beginning, I am still a work in progress and so is my mouth!! Salvation is instant, the process towards sanctification can take a lifetime…So if you hear me slip up just give me a holy reminder and pray for me!!!