The First Five Minutes

From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. Proverbs 18:20

What you say in the first five minutes can set the tone for the hours that follow. Good speakers understand they must grab the audience’s attention in the first five minutes, otherwise the opportunity to have an impact on them or move them to action can be lost. The same principle applies to your family. The first five minutes of a morning can determine how a mother will interact with her children that day. A snarl or a complaint as the kids gather for breakfast can sour their relationship for hours. When a man arrives home from work at the end of the day, the way he greets his wife can influence their interaction throughout the evening. If he mutters, ‘Not salad again!’ the relationship can be put on edge until bedtime. But it doesn’t have to be that way in your house! When you’ve been apart from those you love, you can do an attitude check and reset your mood before you walk through the door. It’s okay to share your concerns but, generally speaking, you should leave work-related problems at work. Question: Does your family look forward to you coming home each night? If not, why not? A little sensitivity on your part can go a long way, and bring you wonderful benefits. The Bible says: ‘An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life…’ (vv. 19-21). Remember: it depends on the first five minutes. Oh, this goes for work as well!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me initially set a positive loving tone when I come into situations with others, whether it is family, friends or coworkers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen