Watching My Words

Remember the old adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? And while I can recall learning and repeating this as a small child, I remember in particular my mother and grandmother having to constantly remind me of the last part...but words will never hurt me...after recess clashes and Sunday school run ins.

I could blame it on my being the smallest and youngest of my group of cousins that spent weekends and summers at my grandmothers, and always seemed to take everything, said or done, to heart.

But, I honestly have always believed that I just felt more deeply than those around me. I could never figure out how some of the other kids could make fun of each other, going on and on, and then go back to playing together like nothing was said. Every “your head’s too big” and “you talk too much” went straight to my heart and by the time I would make it home, the tears weren’t far behind.

As I got older, I heard “You’re too sensitive, I didn’t mean it like that..” repeatedly from classmates, family, friends, etc. So I think that’s why I try really hard to be careful about what I say. Because guess what...? Words CAN and DO hurt! And when mine leave my mouth, I want those who hear them to be edified, uplifted and in anticipation of the next thing they hear me say.