My daughter is captivated by the stories I tell of myself as a child. I was truly a Rude Girl - I was bossy, mouthy, bratty, spoiled and completely insensitive to the feelings of others.

My ADD was undiagnosed until I was an adult, so my childhood was spent in misery as a social outcast. So, on days like today, when nothing else is working with my daughter and I’m utterly defeated and thinking that nothing can be done about her many issues, I sit down with her, and in a very quiet voice, begin reminding her that I know how she feels because I was once A Very Angry And Bitter Child. All defiance and attitude just drain from her and she is fascinated by the tale. She asks a million questions, like didn’t I pray to God? (Answer: I didn’t know Him back then).

This afternoon, she begged me to read today’s homeschool memory verse from her Bible, so after she scrambled off to get it and plunked herself by my side, we read:

John 14:15:
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Then, I talked to her about 1 Peter 3:3-4:

Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

We talked about “popular girls” and how they dress, but when it comes down to it as far as God is concerned, it’s the Inside Girl that matters.

I also mentioned Titus 2:9:

Sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Then, we ended with The Most Beautiful Woman of All: The Worthy Woman of Proverbs 31. My daughter was incredulous that this Worthy Woman would be awake throughout the night. Because she has issues with insomnia, she really identified with this woman! She was thrilled to think that maybe she and this Worthy Woman shared a love of knitting (verses 13 and 19)! She fell in love with the verses that described the Worthy Woman’s words:

She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue (verse 26).

It was as if a light-bulb went off over her head! She understood that when read the Bible, “it goes into our brains; then it drips down from our brains onto our tongues, so our tongues have the kindness. Then the kindness, because it’s on our tongues, we can reply with kindness!”

My daughter was so enthralled with this Worthy Woman, that she insisted that her brothers come and hear the tale of “the most beautiful woman, ever!” Afterwards, she and I formed the “Worthy Women Club.” Since my daughter really responds best to key words, and phrases, I think I’ll be able to gently remind her about using kinder words.

I am so thankful for God’s word and its ability to change lives. I know it changed mine, and I am seeing it do the same work in my child.

Photo credit: Stock Xchange