“Oh be careful little ears what you hear, Oh be careful little ears what you hear, For the Father up above, He is looking down in love, oh be careful little ears what you hear.” I was reminded of this cute little kid’s song I learned as a child as I was ranting to David earlier this week. I was complaining about something (must not have been that important, can’t even remember what it was now) and when I got done, I ended with, “Dern!” (I actually did just say “Dern”!) Without missing a beat, I hear this little voice echo from the backseat, “Dern!” Of all the words I had spoken, Carter chose that word to repeat. I cut my eyes over to David, smiled a humble smirk, and immediately realized how impressionable my child is. He heard my ranting. He heard my tone. He heard my attitude. And he repeated my exclamation of disgust.

There are a lot of things that I cannot control in this world, but for the things that I can, I need to step up. I can control what I allow in my household. I can control what Carter watches on tv. I can control who we spend time around. I can control what books we read together. I can control what music we listen to. I can control my attitudes and actions. And I can control what I allow to come out of my mouth. I need to take it even a step further, though.

I can’t just watch what I say and do in front of my child, I need to be careful what I’m allowing in so that what comes out will be honoring no matter who is around. Matthew 15:18 says, “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.” I need a clean heart in order to have a clean mouth; the two go hand in hand.

I’m so thankful for my little parrot. I just pray that I can be a good sound to his little ears, not one that teaches him habits that are contrary to God’s teaching. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”