Sticks, Stones and Words!

We might benefit from sitting at the feet of Aibileen. Her instruction to little Mae Mobley is one of the most endearing scenes in The Help. The older woman's impartation of life-giving truths into the heart of the toddler is both tender and redemptive. "You is smart. You is kind. You is important."

What a stark contrast to the rampant, verbal bullying heard in every sphere of influence today.

Since the dawn of time, man has uttered careless and unkind words. We - you and I - have missed the mark, fallen short, and misunderstood what it means to be our brother’s keeper.

We need sky writers in every city to remind us that the tongue has the power of life and death. And billboards on roadways to remind us that the words we speak are containers for power and potential. Carrying either creative or destructive power. Bursting with potential to lift and build up or tear down.

Regardless of age, socio-economic status, relationship, education, sex, ethnicity, nationality, and religion, every one of us has been on the receiving end of words that strike like fiery darts. Words that explode and, like shrapnel, rip our insides.

Those most familiar with our weaknesses - siblings, parents, spouses, and those we call close friends - can be as adept as snipers at speaking bullets. Classmates, colleagues, and complete strangers alike are capable of launching word balloons that do anything but buoy others in their innermost being.

I remember reporting, with tears, a playground “teasing incident” to my mother one day after kindergarten. My undies caught a nail while I was zipping down the curly slide (dresses rarely kept me from having fun). Fortunately, Mrs. Garrison came to the rescue with a safety pin. Unfortunately, she wasn't the only one who witnessed the snag.

That afternoon I memorized the familiar children’s rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones (and nails might tear my undies!), but words will never hurt me.” It gave me strength, and through the years I summoned it to combat cheap comments and shallow jabs. But as time marched on the rhyme lost its power.

Because the truth is that poorly chosen, hurtful words can pierce the human soul. Oftentimes they take up residence.

It’s no mystery that all creation communicates. From the highest heights to the deepest depths. The sun rises and welcomes us to a new day. Birds sing to join the chorus. Even fish communicate. Like the Croaker my son caught last night. While being man-handled to dislodge the hook, its frog-like croaks guaranteed we knew it was greatly displeased (Hey! I’d yell, too, if I had a hook in my lip!).

The more remarkable fact is that human beings alone are endowed with the extraordinary gift of advanced language. And the responsibility that accompanies it. Based on what I'm hearing, I'm convinced that too few people know that we will one day have to give an account for every empty, idle word we have spoken.

Imagine what might happen if we're struck with the realization that all words become something! That no words are mere words.

I can envision the impact. A global increase of goodwill, joy, hope, dignity, purpose, unity, honor, and brotherly love. A wave of forgiveness and healing. And that's just the tip of the iceberg!