Sticks and Stones

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Whoever created that often quoted bit of advice was…WRONG!
If you had an open discussion with anyone about this topic, I think you would find any 3 year old,  30 year old , or 90 year old would totally disagree with this proverbial error.

I have a scar on my forehead where a neighbor girl named Janice popped me with a rock out of anger one day when I was about 8 years old.  I laugh at the little crater scar now as a fond childhood memory.  As I remember it, it hurt very much and blood ran down my face as I ran home to Momma for comfort. But even though it left a scar, it did not leave a resentful or hateful feeling in my heart or mind.

On the other hand, I have stirring memories of being picked on a few times and remember the words that were said. Their long-term forces are deeper than the scar on my head. One particular boy, rode his bike through our yard and yelled out calling me a bad name. The pain of those words seemed to stay with me in a more influential way than being hit with the stone thrown by Janice.

I don’t have any lifetime psychological issues with any of these childhood memories, but as I analyze over the last few decades regarding people I have dealt with, I find words that were said in many ways left a  deeper impact than any physical pain that could have been inflicted.

I am sure, that as you think about it now, you may agree with this.

My wife Joy offers this bit of advice on a banner in her classroom. “Think before you blurt!”

I’m starting with the man in the mirror.

WHEN YOU DO THINGS, DO NOT LET SELFISHNESS OR PRIDE BE YOUR GUIDE. INSTEAD, BE HUMBLE AND GIVE MORE HONOR TO OTHERS THAN TO YOURSELVES. DO NOT BE INTERESTED ONLY IN YOUR OWN LIFE, BUT BE INTERESTED IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.  Philippians 2:3-4