Summer has almost come to a close I thought to myself as a yellow school bus filled with elementary aged children stopped at the house down the street. I have a perfect view of the activities from my kitchen window and it always brings a smile to my face to remember the excitement I felt when this time of year would come around.

On this particular afternoon I noted a young boy who walked several paces behind the others who descended the bus steps first. He was new to the area as I recently noticed the moving van at the house where he lived. He walked by the group of other children who were laughing and shuffling their feet.

I was in hopes that someone from the group in the neighborhood might try to include this boy in their circle; but suddenly I heard a shout from a boy in the group to the newcomer, and watched in amazement as the other children laughed at what he had said. The newcomer dashed to his house as fast as his legs could carry him, while the other children stood watching and laughing. I wondered what they had said to him.

I remember the years our three children started school and how I tried to prepare them for things that others might say that could hurt them. I also remember the old saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me." It was a saying that simply was NOT true, I knew names and unkind words could hurt bad. In fact they can do permanent injury to children and adults alike. And once said, they cannot be taken back.

How pleased I was one day as a 6th grader when we were having ART class. I had made a painting and was so happy when the ART teacher came by my desk and told me how much she liked my sail boat in the blue water. A few minutes later our classroom teacher walked by the row of desks and looked at my painting and said, "You can do better." All of a sudden the joy and feeling of happiness was gone, I obviously hadn't done a good job after all. I never took ART after that although I loved it so.

Many children today suffer from what someone has said to them. Older people can feel the sting of names or unkind words spoken alike. It is an ongoing discipline to remind oneself that a word spoken can be hurtful or encouraging. Physical wounds heal, but the speech we use can stay with someone a lifetime. Words are much like dynamite, once they go off (or are said) the damage is done.

In the Bible the book of James is dedicated to our Christian conduct and much is said about the use of the "tongue." The author compares the tongue to a great forest which is set on fire by a small spark. "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire." James 3: 6 The author continues to share the fact that we can't be faithful to the Lord with our conduct using language or saying things with our tongue that is unkind.

We have one mouth and we can use it to praise our Lord, but out of the same mouth often come unkind words. "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" James 3; 11 It is a constant battle to guard against saying something that might hurt another, a daily discipline to work on daily.

I don't know what the neighbor boy thought of the children who gathered and felt it their obligation to say unkind words to him, but I did walk over with a plate of cookies and introduced myself to his Mother. I invited the young boy to stop by after school someday and visit me. He seemed pleased and smiled. I just wonder if I can find a few other boys who might enjoy coming by around the same time......everyone needs a friend and to hear some kind words.
?© Copyright, Diane Dean White 2003


Diane and her husband Stephen reside on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
She is a former newspaper reporter and freelance writer. Her new book BEACH WALKS is a variety of short stories spanning from the 50's to present day. You may visit Diane's webpage at SEEDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Or E-mail her at thelamb212 @ aol.com