Sticks and Stones

"Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never harm me."  Hmm....whoever made this the famous statement obliviously lived in a bubble!  The words that we say to others will leave a lasting impression that you can never take back (we can say I am sorry but sometimes it doesn't work).  And let me add our actions also leave that same impression.  As parents and adults we usually talk to other adults about our problems.  And sadly so we often think that our children are not listening but they are.  At least 2 times a week our oldest daughter tells me that someone hurt her feelings by saying something ugly to her, laughing at her when she fell down, pushed her to see if she would fall, or simply tell her I cant play with you because you are too sassy and bossy and my mom told me not to.  Now let me step back and say that I know some of this is just 6 year old girls and she can over dramatize events and yes my little girl is bossy and sassy at times but all women are at some point!  But I also know that some of this is just plain out mean little kids.  Let's step back and take a long look in the mirror.  Where did these children see and hear this?  Us, the parents.  Sad isn't it.  And if you are sitting here thinking that your child has never "picked" on a child or said intentionally ugly comments sadly you are wrong.  My daughters are guilty of doing this to other kids but until they are treated the same way it just doesn't click with them.  Anytime I have any conflict with anyone hours and days later I always think "I wish I would have said this instead of that".  But its too late.  My jagged 2 headed sword as known as my tongue has already said it.  The bullying is only getting worse in today's society.  Turn on the news and you hear of school shooting where a young man wanted revenge on his teacher because  the teacher bullied him.  Or you hear of a teenage girl that took her life because she couldn't stand the torture for her classmates anymore because she simply wasn't like them or wasn't good enough.  When is it enough?  As a parent I am suppose to set the example of how to act and what kind of example am I setting if I am judging people because they aren't like me and my family.  Or because I don't agree with every decision they have made.  But who am I to judge because I am on the outside looking in. So the next time you think you should judge someone, speak unkind words, or treat someone badly think about what your child is seeing.  Think about how this will affect your testimony, your current walk with the Lord.  Its a lot to think about.