WFMW:: Wise (Accessible) Words for Moms

I have been so blessed by Ginger Plowman's Wise Words for Moms. (If you've never seen it, this chart lays out three steps in dealing with a child's poor behavior: Heart probing- getting to the source of the behavior with a couple simple questions; Reproof- the "putting off" of the behavior, which comes straight from scripture; and Encouragement- the "putting on" of good behavior, also from scripture.) There is also a section of additional verses at the end of each row. When I am in the midst of dealing with an issue with one (or more!) of my children, I have found it so helpful to look at this chart and be reminded of the proper steps leading to repentance, and scriptures to accompany them.

But sometimes (okay, frequently) I'm so rattled, it's difficult to stop in the middle of this heart-to-heart with my child to look at the chart for my next step! So about a year ago, I prayed over my concerns and my very humble desire to make this chart work for me, and the Lord led me to something that has been another blessing in my life.

Four by six notecards! At the beginning of the month (I came up with this time frame because it seemed like it was taking all of us at least this long to make a habit of a particular good behavior!), I write down one of the behaviors and steps on a notecard. All of it. If I can fit the extra scripture references on the front, I will, but a lot of times I need to write them on the back.

Then I put them in a visual place, which since shortly after moving here is in the acrylic stand on the kitchen sink windowsill that holds my Bible already. I see the card and read through it several times a day, familiarizing myself completely with identifying the behavior and the steps to walk it out, scriptures included.

And we've added Wise Words to our morning circle time (Grove Tending, here at Sapling Academy!), so the children are familiar with what we will be expecting of them, and why these steps are helpful for getting to the root. We regularly act out a particular situation and show the wrong AND right way to walk it out.

I can't tell you what a difference having these wise words in a more visual, easily accessible place has been- no more speaking to my child and having to let my eyes roam to the chart to remind myself of the next step. By reading over it several times a day, when I have to be standing there anyway, elbow deep in suds, it's being hidden in my heart as well.

I really love the heart of Ms. Plowman's Wise Words for Moms chart- and I'm so thankful I found a way to make it work for me! I hope it blesses you as well, kind friend.