Words mean something

I had an experience yesterday at Staples that absolutely blew my mind.

My mom and I were walking up to the check out counter and Three employees were standing there talking waiting to check someone out. One of the girls, around my age, starts talking (very loudly) about how she never wants to have children again... but she "could so be a foster parent because if she got a child that was ugly, mean or she just didn't like she could always send IT back." ( Did you notice she called the child an IT?)

I am standing around the back side of the check-out and its all I can do to keep my mouth from hanging open. One of her associates says, " well, would you consider adoption?" She laughed and said, "No, WAY!! Then If I don't like the kid, I can't send it back!"

Normally, I would just be offended, go on my way and not say anything. But as I am standing there I realize that my Mom can hear everything this person was saying.

-- What you need to know is that my mom grew up in foster homes. She lived in some good places and some not so good places. And unfortunately, not all foster homes are good, loving, safe and secure homes. We have a lot of children that are falling through the cracks of foster care.

(Before anyone gets offended,I am NOT saying that there are not good foster homes and foster parents. )

Mom and I walked out to car and the only words exchanged were, "I hope she never has the chance to be a foster parent." I could tell that this had bothered my mom, and it hurt my heart for her. I walked back to the store and returned the cart, she smiled then told me to have a wonderful day.

It took all of about 15 seconds for me to level my head and look her in the eye & say, " I hope you have a good day as well, but please know that what you say is heard by more people than you think. What you said while my mom and I were standing in here was very offensive." She looked at my like a deer in headlights saying that she didn't even remember saying anything. I then repeated verbatim what she said and her face turned bright red. I explained that My mom grew up in foster care and it offended her, I explained to her that It was not funny or something to joke about and that there are a lot of foster homes that are not a good place for children. She said, "Oh, I have friends in foster care- I stopped her and said , "Oh, so you KNOW that it's not funny. Nothing else was said and I walked away.

I explain all this to say, Words mean something.

"There’s an old children’s saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” If only that were true, but it’s a fable that needs to be laid to rest. Words can hurt a lot more than sticks and stones. They may not break bones, but they can surely break hearts. Words can devastate. Words can wound; words can kill. Words can ruin reputations and destroy relationships. There’s just no doubt about it-words hurt."

( http://sparkle333.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/words-that-hurt/ )

Remember the power of your words. They effect people, use them to uplift and speak good into your life & into others.

Proverbs 18:21a - The tongue has the power of life and death

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