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“Oh my God!”
She didn’t know what she was saying. It popped right out, and she didn’t even understand what she’d said. I did a double-take and asked where she’d heard that. We don’t use that phrase, so she kind of shocked my socks off. Turns out it was on a commercial that she’d seen. Totally harmless.
I had a choice to make. A very quick choice.
I could have reprimanded her and busted out my We don’t say that in this house, young lady speech. That would’ve gotten the message across, but it would’ve made her feel awful in the process. Instead, I chose grace. I knew that it was spoken innocently.
I chose to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Our conversation ended up simply being about how we love God and we’d rather not use His name in a way that’s not really a blessing. I let her know that she’ll hear that phrase… probably many times. I encouraged her to choose a different wording. I even got all silly and and dramatically said Oh my word! and Good gracious! and had her giggling. There may have even been hands thrown in the air and goofy faces made.
I made my point. She maintained her dignity. And I haven’t heard that phrase since.
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