One day when I was taking a phone call, our then seven-year-old kept trying to talk to me. I put on a scowl and repeatedly put out a flat hand as a stop signal to try to make him wait until I was done. His face brightened into a smile, he gave my “stop hand” a high five, and he happily walked away. You may have noticed that kids are not often quick to pick up on nonverbals. Sometimes you need to explain your nonverbals so your kids are aware when you are having a bad day, need a moment of quiet, or need to signal when talking can’t happen. A lesson on nonverbal signals can be as valuable as a script.
A script, by definition, can consist of dialogue as well as stage directions. It might be instructions on what to say, as well as our movements or nonverbal communication. Areas in which our kids need a new script, might be obvious and often. However, have you thought about your own communication and how you might need to rewrite some of your scripts?
Similar to nonverbal communication, some of the scripts we need to rewrite may never have come out of our mouths. Consider the thoughts that cross through your mind on a daily basis. It might be things such as, I’m going to ruin my kids, there’s no way I can homeschool, I can’t keep up with all the things I’m supposed to be doing every day, I am not a good wife, I wish I was _____, or any number of lies we begin to believe about ourselves.
In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul speaks about taking every thought captive. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” This means that we need to notice these lies that cross our minds and replace them with a new script. Things such as:
“I am a child of God.” John 1:12
“I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“I am God’s workmanship.” Ephesians 2:10
“I am complete in Christ.” Colossians 2:10
I would challenge you to jot down some of the lies that you’ve begun to believe over time. Then find a truth from God’s word that replaces your lie. Cross out what you used to believe and write the truth. This new script will change the way you talk to yourself, and in turn, change the way you interact with others.
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