Narrative Essay

The Power of the Tongue The quote, “Live each moment like your last because tomorrow may never come,” is commonly overused, but the truth behind it is shocking. As an emotional and indecisive teenage girl I would often scream, “I just want to be an adult and be able to do what I want already!” At the time this seemed like a logical statement, but adulthood came faster than I imagined. The many quarrels over extended curfew, cleaning my room, or going out whenever I wanted are now humorous memories. I recall many times engaging in conversation with my mother about how badly I wanted to grow up. Without any hesitation she would always reply with, “Be patient. It will be here before you know it, and by then, you will wish you were this age again.” I often rolled my eyes and sarcastically agreed with her. The power of our words are sometimes incomprehensible to the human mind, but we have the power to cherish every moment, speak positively, or speak negatively over our lives. I have dealt with the repercussions of thinking negatively of the present, causing me to try to rush to the future. Overwhelming and stressful situations often called for unnecessary bickering between my mother and me. On a cold February evening, I came home from a long day at school after failing my first test, getting into a fight with a close friend, and not getting a job position I was certain I would receive. Upon getting home, one of the very first conversations with my mom consisted of how overwhelming being a teenage girl is, which quickly escalated to pointless arguing. “Once I’m an adult I won’t have to deal with any of this!” I would dramatically yell. My mom obviously disagreed, yet she quietly listened while I bared my soul, but her silence was only wisdom stirring in her heart. “Mom, I just can’t do this anymore. I’m tired of being told when and how to do things. I always fail. I want to grow up,” I brokenheartedly said. Little did I know I was constantly professing negativity over myself, and not stopping to just enjoy the life that God has blessed me with. After countless tears and disagreeing with my mom’s input throughout the conversation she said, “I know times are hard, but you have the ability to dictate how your day turns out. If you want to have a bad day, continue to speak negatively, but Jesus did not die for you to be broken; he died for your happiness, so rejoice in hard times. You were born for such a time as this. Do not be so quick to rush into the future because it’s not where God wants you yet.” An insignificant argument changed into a conversation that impacted my life and made me realize the importance of my own words. It is true that we have the power to choose and execute how our day will turn out; we have the ability to speak life and enjoy every second. As that February evening came to an end, I lifted my eyes to the Lord and began cherishing every moment as a teenager. Today, I see things differently and through the Lord’s eyes, rather than my own. I spent ridiculous amounts of time ready to speed up time and constantly speaking negatively about many situations. This ultimately meant many days were lost that could have been treasured. It really is true when people say not to be in such a rush to grow up. As a young adult, I realize the future came a lot faster than I ever anticipated. Every second is a blessing, and if I had a second chance to relive the times lost, I would rejoice in my brokenness and live specifically in the time God has for me without rushing for the future.