…from Sam Crabtree, ala the Biblical Counseling Coalition blog:
BCC: “What does affirmation practically look like in a marriage? Parenting?”
SC: “Spot any aspect of Christlikeness in your family member—honesty, patience, diligence, creativity, endurance, faithfulness (there are easily dozens of such commendable qualities)—and then say something like, ‘God is developing the beautiful quality of (hospitality, generosity, orderliness, etc.) in you. I want to be like you as you are becoming like God in that way.’ It’s that simple. But such brief conversations inject immeasurable freshness and encouragement into relationships, while God gets praised for being the Source of such good things.”
So…are you using your words to draw attention to Christ in your family? Good thought, indeed.