Sometimes we know something but we don’t do it. For instance, we know we should speak kindly to each other, but in reality, our tones often don’t reflect kindness. I came up with a visual reminder to help our family remember to use “soft” words.
Speaking Kindly To Each Other
Yesterday I was reading My ABC Bible Verses by Susan Hunt
We sang the verse a couple of times to the tune of “Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush”
A soft answer turns away wrath
turns away wrath
turns away wrath.
A soft answer turns away wrath
Proverbs 15:1
Then I decided that we should try to illustrate the verse.
Now when we look at our picture we made, we sing the song while pointing to the words. She enjoyed making her own Bible verse page.
Well wouldn’t you know it, that while we were working on this project I could hear my older kids not using nice tones with each other, blaming and teasing. This is starting to be a bad habit around here. So, since that verse was fresh in my mind, I thought that we should apply it to our family life.
I found an old plastic jar and created a cute label using digital scrapbooking supplies. I used spray adhesive to glue it onto the jar.
The picture above is what I hope our jar looks like at the end of the week. I placed all the colored pom poms (soft words/soft answers) in a container next to the jar. Then I encouraged all the kids to be listening for when one of their siblings used soft words/soft answer when talking with each other. This meant instead of automatically using an accusing tone with each other, or an annoyed tone, that they used a peaceful, gentle tone. Instead of blaming and accusing right away, that they took the time to talk it out nicely to find out all the facts first. If they or their siblings were trying, then they could add a colored pom pom into the jar. They could even catch me trying to use soft answers too. I’m praying that this exercise will help all of us, mom and dad too, realize how we are relating with each other with our words. That we will be more aware of the tone we use, the attitude behind our words and that our conversations with each other will be more loving.
One of my readers also suggested:
Thanks! Your pom poms in a jar gave me an idea! I am working on an angry words lesson and was looking for a way to do an object lesson on Prov. 15:1. After seeing the pom poms, I decided to have the kids drop marbles on a cookie sheet to illustrate what harsh words do and then to drop pom poms on the cookie sheet to illustrate a gentle answer.
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Cute! What a great idea to put the verse on the jar of the pom poms. I am always looking for applicable ways to apply scripture in a way children can understand. Thanks!!
Great idea. We're reading the same book — love this! 🙂
We NEED this in our family- not just for the kiddos, but for me too! I do believe I will get on making one- IMMEDIATELY!
What a great, ENCOURAGING idea!
thats a great idea… we are having issues with this as well… even me.. my patience is wearing thin as my belly expands! I think we will have to borrow this idea.
That's an awesome idea! We could use a soft jar over here!
I love this idea! Who of us couldn't use a soft jar in their life? I just finished making my soft jar…now to get the pom poms and talk to my girls. Thanks for the idea. Love your blog so much.
Love this-and will definitely make one of these this weekend! That's a big issue around here, probably b/c it's a big issue for MOM…sad how it transfers right over to them. Thanks for the practical encouragement! I'm going to link this up!
What a great idea! I might try something like this with my 3yo; she gets pretty disrespectful sometimes.
What a wonderful, encouraging idea! I'm off to make our family's "soft Jar". Thank you for sharing!
Great Project. I was just talking about this verse this week:)
What a great idea! I'm going to try a figure a way to work this or something similar with my girls (4 on Friday and 2).
Very creative. I'll be doing this lesson also. We all need this around here. I love the idea of the pom pom in a jar. Very visual which is good for the kiddos. (who am I kidding…it's good for me too!)
Nicole
Love it! We actually linked to you a few weeks ago–such a great idea!
a
Hopped over from Mama Jen and liking what I see, will have to stick around and check things out!!!!
I just love this idea! Going to start using it right away!
I need to make myself a jar! Wonderful.
Thanks! Your pom poms in a jar gave me an idea! I am working on an angry words lesson and was looking for a way to do an object lesson on Prov. 15:1. After seeing the pom poms, i decided to have the kids drop marbles on a cookie sheet to illustrate what harsh words do to harsh words and then to drop pom poms on the cookie sheet to illustrate a gentle answer.
That’s a great visual lesson! I love it!
I love this idea, I know tempers are running short in our house with the heat. I’m off to look at that book and see what I have around the house to use to do this, or what I have to have hubby pick up from the store.
Love the idea Tammie of the marbles vs pom poms too!
Do you have a goal or a reward planned for when you fill the jar? That is one thing I can think of perhaps that might give an incentive to my kids. Are you keeping the pom poms in there when angry words come out or are you taking one out then? Just curious.
Thanks!
This is great! I just found it via Pinterest. I love all your ideas for this verse. Hoping to do them today! Thanks so much!
Oh I’m so happy this idea came across my newsfeed on FB today. I’ve been working on polite and kind words with my boys. This will be a great visual reminder. I think we’ll celebrate when the jar us full.
We so desperately need this in our home right now….this mama too! 😉