mouth math

As Bear, Keona, and Louie headed off for kid's church, Jonathan and I hobbled (I'm still in a shockingly large boot because of my broken foot) into the Realife building this past Sunday for the tween's service.

As usual, we sat in the back row reserved for staff. Each week they kindly allow us to camp there because they know that the music and the videos and the energy are sometimes too much for Jonathan. He may jump around for joy during worship or cover his ears when the music cranks up or shout out something sincere that's somehow slightly off cue. In the back row, we enjoy the service in a space where Jonathan can be himself without drawing attention to himself. It's always a special time for us to share.

The speaker this week quoted a word of wisdom he received early on from a pastor: "Make sure your words are always plus signs." He was speaking of how our words need to add something to each environment and aptly used Caleb as an example of someone whose words added something and drew people toward the promised land.

Jonathan--a sleeping math genuis--was intrigued, "So plus words add, minus words takes away, what do multplication words do?"

"Hmmn. Perhaps that's when our words multiply how many people are walking with Jesus," I offered.

"And division?" Jonathan wondered.

"Divisive words are those that cause unnecessary conflict between people," I suggested.

Then we both sat there and thought...about mouth math.

And perhaps is would be wise for me, and for us, to think a bit more. So I invite you to along with me think through all the words you spoke today. Did our words add truth? subtract esteem? multiply the faithful? divide the family?

Mouth math...that for better or for worse, is not easily erased.

"what will my last name be?"

Some thought-full words from my precious kids:

Keona:
"Mommy, does God have special needs?"

Jonathan:
"Mom, before I was born, I existed in God's thoughts. What was that like? Did I feel anything? Did I see anything? What was my version of life before God began growing me in the womb?"

Keona:
"Mommy, what will my last name be when I get married?"
"I don't know baby."
"I do: I think it will be 'hakuna matata.'"

Jonathan about his beautiful friend from speech pathology:
"Mom, do I like her because of her insides or just her outsides?"

Keona:
"I don't like that one." (Spoken about our newest family focus on the white board which reads: Taking responsibility strengthens your mind. Making excuses weakens it.)

Jonathan:
"Mom, I think I'm going to be one of the best animators in the world. Not THE best, just one of."