Words of Life

I am sure that every parent wonders how badly they have messed up their kids lives. I can think of one exception, but for their own protection I won't name them.
First, let me say that being a parent is exhausting, and sometimes what comes out of the mouth really isn't what is in the heart; it's the frustration and fatigue speaking. That being said, here is what I'm pondering.
I Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" My children gave their hearts to God when they were quite young. Being an exhausted Mom it never occurred to me that when I spoke to them, I was speaking to the dwelling place of the living God. (Just a light thought as Mother's Day approaches.)
Did I speak with respect? Did I speak words of life? Or did I scream like a harried woman on the brink of insanity? For the most part I was somewhere in between. I know that I blew it more than I want to admit. But what was in my heart then, and now, were words of life.
I know why Grandparents are so important. It is much easier to speak words of life when you aren't exhausted and feeling like a total shrew.
If you have grand-babies living far away, find some children nearby whose grandparents live far away, and speak words of life to them. Then, when you have a chance, speak words of life to their parents too.
Even if you aren't a parent or grand-parent you can have a profound effect on the lives of little ones around you. Whenever you can, speak life; words that encourage, words that build up, words that cause the spirit of a child to rise and believe that he or she is loved and precious and created with a purpose. Speak the words that you long to hear.
I Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another ... "