Tongue Lashing
One time when I disobeyed my dad, he caught me red-handed. However, he did not get home to discuss my misdeed until late. I worried all day that I was in hot water. I dreaded the tongue lashing to come.
Dad never said anything. I think he knew I had suffered enough.
Tongue lashings hurt. A lot.
Just ask any of us who have received one. Most people I know prefer almost any other form of correction.
Corporal punishment is seldom used anymore. Yet, we often hear people say they would rather have a spanking than a tongue lashing.
A tongue lashing means a scolding.
Sometimes severe and lengthy, the speaker lectures the other person (or animal). Words may include:
- Criticism
- Anger
- Disappointment
Disappointment is often harder to hear than anger or criticism.
If we have a close relationship with the speaker, we don’t want to let him down. That was the case with my dad.
Tongue lashings can be for our good, or they can be cruel.
Either is hard to take. However, if we know the person desires the best for us, we gain from what he says.
May we speak strong words when needed. May we always speak from a heart of love.
Thanks to Marita Smeathers Mantooth for the suggestion and to Bethany Ferr with Pexels for the photo.
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