September 29
Scripture: Prov 15:4
Source author: Jeanette Gardner Littleton
September 29
The Son Who Saved the Day Gentle words are a tree of life. —Proverbs 15:4
I sighed as I looked at popcorn, soda cans, and dirty plates strewn around our TV room. The kitchen was a bigger disaster with trash coating the floor and the cabinet lined with bowls of cereal rotting in milk, stale ice-cream cones, and more. I’d spent the day with my friend, a day of relaxation I sorely needed. But apparently my husband and kids had felt it was party day with Mom gone. Now, after I walked through one war-zone room after another, I became furious. The volcano blew and I let my family have it. They darted wary glances at me as they reluctantly cleaned a few pieces of trash. As I searched for the peanut butter lid, I felt horrible for losing my cool. Suddenly I felt strong arms wrapped around me. I turned to see the round face of my twelve-year-old son. “I love you, Mom,” he gently said. Then with a hug, he was off to pick up the trash can. The balloon of anger inside me deflated. The hardness inside melted and the tears finally came. “Thank you, God,” I whispered. “Thank you for a son who understands.”
Gentle responses from a loving heart diffuse the most explosive situations. — Jeanette Gardner Littleton —