Sticks and Stones . . . It's a lie.

You’re too fat. Too skinny. Too loud. Too quiet. Communication skills are lacking. You can shmooz paint off a wall with your salesman’s tongue.

Words meant to change our behavior, our appearance, to bring us into submission with another’s idea of how we should look and what we should sound like. Words that, if we’re not guarded, will set us up for failure. Words that will set the course of our futures, should we not peek through the curtain and see the truth and hear the righteous judge tell us what He thinks.

But “sticks and stones will break our bones, but words . . .”

Don’t believe it. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit,” (Proverbs 18:21); and yet, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones,” (Prov. 16:24).

So, I ask myself, am I bringing health or destruction in my words? Whether those I’ve cared about and respected have built or torn down with their words towards me do have bearing, but should be in the course I choose to take. I can replicate the lies and perpetuate them, causing those around me to stumble, OR I can decide to seek the One who created my tongue and say, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer,” (Psalm 19:14).

It’s our choice. Freedom or bondage. Life or death. Salt water and fresh cannot flow down the same stream.

As for me, the choice has been made. There has been enough tearing down in my life. It’s time to take a stand and put an end to the hurt and the lies that have run like acid through me. For every negative pronouncement made, I will combat with statements of love and acceptance into those God has placed in my path.

And now, the choice is yours. Together we can create a wave of life-giving words and pursue peace in our tiny corner of the world.

Weaving words for the heart and soul,

Karlene A. Jacobsen
Freelance Writer
southpawscribbler@gmail.com