This is a quote from the scripture. Just what does it mean? Who would do such a thing?
Teasing, "poking fun"and with-holding promises can all be ways that we may be discouraging our children and "provoking them to wrath"
It is not a good thing to do.
Now, our big family has done it's share of teasing. It's all done in good fun, I'm sure, but if, by chance, the recipient is not laughing I think we need to look at what we are doing. Learning to laugh at ourselves is a good thing but I know many laugh with the group and then go away feeling picked on and discouraged.
Perhaps it goes with the saying passed down over the generations: "If you don't have something good to say, don't say anything at all."
I have carried a sarcastic humor for a long time, in fact I used to have a sign that said, "sarcasm, just another service that we offer" yet I have decided in the past year that even though it can be fun in the right conversation and company...(.sparring and bantering, I believe some would call it) it is probably best to just not "go there". If there is even a possibility of someone getting hurt....why would we do it?
Children learn alot from example.
If we or anyone else have fallen into the habit of playfully teasing, jabbing or ridicule in "good clean fun" I think it's time to stop. Let's replace these actions with encouragement and praise, building our children up when ever we have the opportunity. How about everyday!! The world is sure to keep the balance for us as it tends to be a cruel place to live.
Let's examine our homes and families and make sure that no one's feelings are getting hurt, that no one is being teased and that we deal with the teaser even if it is our self!
Blessing!
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