My heart broke sitting at a red light.

My oldest and I were heading home from dance practice one evening when all of a sudden, I heard her proclaim a not-so-nice four-letter word from the backseat.

I immediately turned my head around and asked, “Where on earth did you hear that from?!”

The look on her face said it all.

Me. She heard it from me.

Ouch. Nothing like a seven year old to convict you of your garbage.

I don’t know about you, but it is way too easy for me to underestimate just how much those little ears hear. In both directions, my words hold way more power than I care to admit.

When I take the time to encourage her, love on her, and build her up…those words make a bigger impact than I realize. And when I’m careless with my words and speak without thinking…those words make a bigger impact than I realize, too.

In this season of raising little kids, it’s easy for me to view my role as their mom as simply caring for them and meeting their basic needs. (And, you know, keeping them alive. I guess that’s important, too!) But it is so much more than that.

Every day, I’m nurturing little souls. I’m molding future wives, mothers, colleagues, and friends. I’m raising daughters of The Most High King.

It’s a humbling calling. It’s a scary calling. It’s a really, really hard calling. But it’s the most important calling I’ll ever have.

Lord, would my life be proof that I believe that.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

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