I had an opportunity recently to have a good, long talk with my elementary students about being patient with each other. Shakespeare’s “wink at small faults for thou hast large ones” came to mind. Also, in our morning exercises we are memorizing a portion of Matthew 7, which included, “And why beholdest thou the mote (splinter) that is in thy brother’s eye, and considerest not the beam (log) that is in thine own eye?” Bottom line, my classroom has been a lot quieter, and a lot more peaceful since we all decided to judge ourselves before we get started judging others.
One little boy, always a deep thinker, said to me, “Mrs. Graf, it seems like our class just feels better because everyone is trying to think more instead of speak.” I couldn’t agree more. Some of the children would start to tell me something and then just stop short and say, “Never mind. It’s really not important.” I have a little notepaper taped to my desk at school. It’s been there since the school year started, and though torn and “water splotched,” the four little words on that paper teach a little lesson that has as much value for adults as it does for a group of elementary school children from good families in a good Christian school. “Think twice; speak once.” Profitable for all of us who desire to use our mouths to bless, and not to curse. To encourage, not wound. To correct, but never crush. And sometimes, to keep our mouths quiet, for in select situations, this is the way to be the biggest blessing of all.
