Laura peered down the street as the school bus approached. It pulled to a stop in front of her. Sadie bounded off, grinning. Laura bent down and accepted her daughter’s hug, and then straightened as Wyatt trudged off the bus. What had happened today for her children to have such different demeanors?

They strolled back toward their house. “How was your day today?”

Sadie turned as she skipped down the sidewalk. “Great!”

Laura tousled Wyatt’s hair. “What about you, Bud?”

Wyatt shrugged. “OK, I guess.”

“That didn’t sound very convincing. Come on. I made cookies this afternoon.”

With that, Wyatt’s steps grew more rapid. “Chocolate chip or peanut butter?”

“Which one are you in the mood for?”

“Peanut butter.”

Laura grinned. “You’re in luck. I have big, chewy peanut butter cookies and milk waiting for you in the kitchen. But you’ll both need to tell me about your days while we eat them.”

Laura unlocked the door. The kids tossed their backpacks aside and peeled off their thick winter coats before running into the kitchen. Wyatt got the milk from the fridge while Sadie got the glasses. Soon they were all seated at the kitchen table.

“Sadie, you can go first. Tell me what made today great.”

Sadie chewed and swallowed her bite of cookie before responding. “Mrs. Brown told me she loved my story. She told me I’m a really good writer and she bets I’ll be able to write a book someday. Plus, we had music today, and that’s my favorite.”

Laura beamed at her daughter. “That’s wonderful. Mrs. Brown is right. You are a great writer. I’m so glad she liked your story.” She turned to Wyatt. “What about you?”

Wyatt polished off his cookie. “We played around the world and I got my math facts wrong. Liam called me a dummy in front of the whole class. It made me feel stupid. I know the answers, but sometimes I don’t think as fast as the other kids.”

Laura refilled Wyatt’s milk glass. “Sometimes kids can be mean, even when they’re not trying to be. You’re right, you do know your math facts. It’s OK to need time to think. Taking time to think makes you smarter.” She gazed out the window, and inspiration struck. “Come here, kids, and look out the window.”

Sadie and Wyatt appeared at her elbows. “What, Mommy?”

“Look out in the snow. What do you see?”

“Footprints.” Wyatt said.

“That’s right. If you look at that side of the yard, you see lots of footprints and marks where we had the snowball fight and where we rolled the balls for the snowman. Now, look over there.”

 “We didn’t play on that side of the yard.” Sadie pointed at the snow. “What’s all that?”

Laura smiled. “That’s where the deer and the squirrels ran through the yard. They all made tracks, too.”

Wyatt glanced up at Laura. “Why are you showing us the snow?”

“Because I want you to remember these tracks. The deer and the squirrels are long gone, but the tracks are still there. That’s the way it is with words. Your days were colored by what someone said to you today. Sadie, you’re happy because Mrs. Brown said you’re a good writer. And Wyatt, you’re sad because Liam called you a dummy. Words last long after they are said. I want you to remember that. Your words can be the difference between someone having a good day and a bad day. Be careful what you say.”

Psalm 141: 3

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;  keep watch over the door of my lips.

God, we are so affected by what people say to us and about us. Help us remember our true worth is in You, not in what other people say about us. And God, please help us tame our tongues, as difficult as it is to do. Please give us the wisdom to think before we speak, for the words we say can have lasting impressions. Help us use our words to build others up, not tear them down. And when we are hurt by others’ words, please help us forgive them and focus on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.