words

Sticks and stones
may break my bones
but words will
never hurt me

Kids learn this little poem very early on and adults encourage them to believe it; however, it is a lie. Words are weapons. They can seriously injure if wielded in a careless or random fashion, willy-nilly over the hearts and lives of others.

What we say is just as important as how we say it. That one kind thing may be the glue that holds someone life together for the next twenty four hours. Our words may be the light that guides someone out of despair into a better place where there is hope and joy.

Words.

I have a few flung at me that haunt me even now, long after the echos have faded. But in my mind's heart the canyons run deep holding those injurious words there in the stream, ready to bubble up whenever I feel low enough.

Our family makes an extra effort to use kind words and to encourage one another. To lift up and build up rather than tear down and speak death into one another's world. We believe that words spoken in the home have a lasting effect on the rest on forever.

One powerful gift that cost almost nothing, is a nice statement about a person with several positive affirmations about the person followed by several prayers for the person's future, printed on nice paper and framed. It is a tangible gift that they can hold on to whenever they feel low and unloved.

Words. Yes they hurt and they can kill slowly.

And quickly.

Be careful with your weapons today.