Wood to Fire

"As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,

so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife."
Proverbs 26.21

We had all been at each other's throats for a couple of hours.  It seemed like we were constantly quarreling: Elijah against Malachi, Elijah against me, me against Nate, Malachi smashing Luke...

The 5 of us were in the car and decided to buy firewood for the smores.  While Nate and the 2 boys were out getting the wood, I turned on the Kindle for a few quiet moments alone to resume my Bible reading for the day.

I thought it was totally ironic that
the first verse I read was Proverbs 26.21 (see verse below picture).  Not only that, Elijah just opened my side of the car and passed me a piece of wood.  My son handed me wood just after we had all been quarreling and just as I read that verse.  It was a word just for me.

Lord, help us not add wood to the fire.  Help me to speak gentle words that can break bones, and kind words that can melt a hard heart.  Help me to have wisdom how to put a quarrel to rest and how to speak with love to my sons and husband.  Thank you for this picture made alive by Your Word.  May your Spirit bring it to life in our hearts and make us a family that does not quarrel.