words.

"sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

we've all heard this old adage before-from our parents, well meaning teachers and friends, specifically after someone has said something mean. i wish i could say it was true.

the truth is, words hurt. words carry a lot of weight. harsh words can often feel like a punch to the gut, but the scars last a lot longer and cut a lot deeper.

as much as i would like to pretend that i am impervious to insults, when they come from a friend who knows your insecurities, they feel even more biting and callous. 

after a particularly mean thing that a good friend said, i found myself physically shaken and unable to think about anything else. i sat next to the tub while i gave bella a bath and kind of went catatonic for a minute. 

a splash from her brought me back and i asked her, "do we say mean things to our friends bella?" 

she said, "nooooo", as though that were the most ridiculous thing she had heard.

i said, "why not?"

"because it's not nice, mommy. it makes our friends sad."

my 3 year old gets it. 

of course, she later told me a joke that went like this: "bella poops in her pants!!! HAHA!! that's funny!"

so, what does she know......

the bible says a lot about anger and hurt. i wasn't angry, but i was very much hurt. and like an injured animal, sometimes we can say and do things out of hurt that will just cause more strife. 

"let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." 

{ephesians 4:29}

 among other things, i was reminded of all of the people in my life God has graciously gifted me with, who are uplifting and kind. just the day before, i was planning to write a post about all the amazing people i've met. and i started thinking back on that. old friends, new friends, people all around the globe. people who are encouragers-some of them who barely even know me. 

people who use their words to build up and heal. for those people, i am abundantly grateful. from Him, abundantly rich. 

plus, there's this

gratuitous picture of my silly babies