Always honest!

In an ongoing effort to train our children in godly honesty, I dove this week into the topic of false flattery versus worthy compliments. Using real-life examples, I showed my ladies how meaningful a compliment is when it is spoken in truth, but how empty and dishonest flattery is in contrast.

“He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.” ~Proverbs 28:23

At the same time, I tackled the issue of building each other up. I explained how constant negativity and harsh words can harm others, but how words of encouragement and honest praise are a blessing to the recipient.

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” ~Proverbs 25:11

I encouraged them to guard their tongues, choose their words carefully, and refrain from false flattery. I called on them to make an extra effort to look for opportunities to build each other up.

Words from Mother often lose their potency en route to young brains, and I wondered what effect if any would come of it. Any conscientious parent thrills to see a bit of maturity and compassion in her children. Would they prove to have listened and taken the lesson to heart?

You decide.

After a small child wet on my last skirt (yes, that happens quite often), I dug out a pair of fun pink floral capris from our Hawaii days. Several issues here: floral pants, however great they look in Hawaii, are just not happening in the desert. Second, I wear pink about as often as…well, as often as my last pair of clean bottoms serves as somebody’s urinal…less often actually, since I seem to be wet by my smallest children frequently. Third, stretch capris and my five-pounds-over-the-limit body are not highly compatible. I weighed my options: pink floral capris one size too small or hubby’s boxers. I squeezed into the capris and returned to my brood.

I'll leave the pink pants to the pros.

Everyone had something to say about Mommy’s new look.

Marissa took to heart my lesson on not handing out empty flattery: “Mommy, do you really think that outfit matches? I mean…really!”

Hannah was also not to be accused of excessive flattery, although her approach was slightly more gentle: I think they match. I wouldn’t wear them, but they look good on you.

Emily, still a little girl, still wanting to be like Mommy, exemplified the simple honest compliment: I like pink pants…well, I don’t know…I guess…uhhh…blue is nicer…mumble mumble mumble…hasty retreat.

And Elisabeth, the quiet, introspective child, struggled to build Mommy up without flattery…but failed: Mommy, those pants are really ugly…but…they look nice on you. It’s just that I would never wear them because they’re too ugly.

Two things are slated for next week’s school schedule:

1. Review lesson on avoiding flattery while building others up, and
2. Cut apart pink floral capris and turn them into doll clothes (or just bury them).

I never was too fond of those pants anyway.

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