The Bible has hundreds of references on the tongue and the impact of words that come out of our mouth. They are so very powerful in both positive and negative ways.
I would say if I had to pick a favorite school year, it would have been the eighth grade. I knew my classmates well, I had the best teacher in the world, Mr. Kennedy, and my first honest to goodness, hand holding boyfriend. Life was good. I had so much fun that year. Mr. Kennedy put our classroom in the shape of a U and he would stand in the middle or walk around with his big ole' intimidating yard stick and tell us all about the Korean War. He would encourage discussions about anything we wanted to discuss.
So at a time in my life when I loved everyone and everything, when I didn't realize that there was anything different about me other then the fact that I walked with braces, I was given a dose of life that I had not ever experienced before.
Remember that I had been mainstreamed into a regular classroom 4 years before and had been with these same kids every year sense then. The school for Special Ed children was attached to ours and each school had their own playground. A couple of the girls in my class had started a dodge-ball game on the Special Ed playground and they were asked to move their game to their own playground. One of the girls was really upset and when we got back to class a discussion broke out about why "those" kids got to come into our school and onto our playground anytime they wanted but we weren't allowed to go into theirs. It was like I wasn't even there. I was one of "those" kids she was talking about but I felt more like a part of these kids. It was devastating to me. Huge tears streamed down my face as I took on the whole weight of the little school for disabled children next door upon my shoulders. Several of my close friends began to stick up for those like me but it was too late. For the first time in my life, I felt less then them, not as good as them and most of all I felt different. Mr. Kennedy kept me after class and tried to cheer me up and repair some of the damage but I would forever be changed. I no longer felt accepted.
A few weeks after school let out for the summer my boyfriend dumped me for another girl. His reason was that I wasn't what he needed in a relationship, if you get my drift. He just wanted to be friends. Another shot to my world. Someone letting me know, I was not good enough. He was actually saying I was too good but that is not what I heard. So, if it was a friend he wanted, a friend I would be. These two instances along with a strong will to be independent led me on a downhill spiral. I would, from that time on, be determined to be whatever you wanted me to be as long as you liked me and wanted me. I did not ever want to experience rejection again. The fallout from that was not pretty. I became a doormat for many because I was too afraid to argue or disagree. All I ever wanted was just to be accepted. You just can't be everything to everyone. I am still learning that lesson.
But you know they say that what makes you weak makes you strong, or something like that. I now had a determination to succeed. I was out to prove that the kid from the other playground could be the best employee a company would ever have. I felt responsible to pave the way for all those physically challenged people who would come behind me.
I wanted to have a successful marriage and bare children. I failed at the marriage thing at first but now have been married for 34 years. I have two wonderful sons and four beautiful granddaughters plus bonus children and grandchildren.
I try so hard to choose my words carefully and weigh each one and the affect they will have but I am sad to say that I have hurt people with my words. I know those girls in my class probably never meant to hurt me or alter my world in anyway, but that is just my point. The words came out never to be taken back. I heard them.
So use your words for good. They are just as powerful when they're positive. Words of truth and love, encouragement and thankfulness. Use your words to bless others. I know you have all blessed me with your kind words of encouragement regarding this blog. You're the reason I continue. I am thankful for you.
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