Your mouth is like a bird’s feet in the snow

The bird left tracks in the snow.

You can see where the bird walked.

My shoes left tracks in the snow when I carried out the garbage, and my husband’s car left tracks in the snow as he drove out of the garage.

The snow made it obvious where the bird, my husband’s car and I had traveled.

As I walked into the house from carrying out the garbage, I thought of how my words are like the birds feet. The bird left tracks in the snow, and my words leave tracks when I speak.

My teacher in eight grade left tracks when she read my story out loud in class and mocked my writing.

The team captains  made tracks  when I was always picked last in gym class.

The girls who told me I would be pretty if I wore make-up left tracks.

What  tracks do you leave when you speak?

Have your words been kind? Did you leave behind encouragement and a good feeling after you spoke? Did the person who you spoke to feel good about themselves after you walked away?

Or have your words destroyed? Did you say something unkind?

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4:29 NLT

My mother and father made me feel loved and valued by the words they spoke to me. My father died fifteen years ago, but I still feel his support. My mother still  encourages me. Thank you Mom for being my mom.

My teacher in college left kind tracks when he encouraged my writing.

My husband and my children leaves kind tracks  when they tell me they love me.

What tracks do you leave on your children’s heart? On your friend’s heart? Your mother-in-law’s heart? Your brother? Your sister? The grocery store clerk? Your spouse?

If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.
My mother, and Thumper

What tracks will you leave today? Please tell me in the comments. I would love to chat.

p.s. Thank you Brianna Wasson, Shelley DuPont, and Anastacia Maness for helping me with the title.