As I sat in church next to my sweet teenage niece, I couldn’t help but notice that she chewed and picked on the skin around her nails throughout the entire service.  I tried to decide whether to just let it go or say something.  I sent up a quick prayer asking my Father to give Auntie Kara wisdom as to what to do.  Later in the hour, He gave me my answer.  I remembered doing exactly the same thing as a teen and my mom kindly saying, “Kara, you’re to pretty to pick at your nails like that!”  Brilliant, she was!  In that one simple sentence, she knew that the sincere compliment would mean enough to me that it would impact my action better than if she had just incessantly nagged at me about not doing the unsightly habit.   “Lord, please give me such wisdom in my words as I parent my children!” 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5