My daughter came prancing into my bedroom yesterday morning pushing her baby doll’s empty stroller.  “Look at me!” she pleaded.  In my morning grogginess, I peered up to see her climbing into the toy sized stroller. 

“Jenna, be careful with your stroller!”  I said.  It was not the first time she had heard me warn her about climbing into the little toy.

Without missing a beat, she replied, “Be careful with your pillow!”

Was it possible that at the tender age of 2, she has already learned sarcasm?  Or was she innocently ridiculing a semi-conscious outbreak of obsession/compulsive maternal worrying?

It made me laugh so hard, she tried to top herself.  “Mommy, be careful with your tongue!”  I promptly awarded her the “Random Prize” for the day, and went back to sleep.

Since then, her sweet words have been ringing in my ears.  “Be careful with your tongue.”  The preacher this week shared a message of Thanksgiving, highlighting Jesus’ classic question, “ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

And so, this holiday season, I make this vow to myself.  Ease up on the anxiety.  Lean into gratitude.  Repeat.

And be careful with my tongue.