The Power of Words

The Power of Words

Isn’t it sad that some parents don’t think about the words they say to their kids, or the effect those words may have? Years ago, I witnessed an incident that has haunted me to this day. I had just parked my car in the parking lot in front of a grocery store. I was walking (or rather, waddling, as I was pregnant at the time) toward the store when I saw a middle-aged woman pushing a shopping cart to her car. Two small kids, a boy and a girl, were trailing along behind her. They didn’t appear to be picking on each other like little kids will do, but the woman was in a really bad mood. I don’t know whether she was their mother, grandmother, or babysitter. That’s not important.

That day it had been storming, but we were having a reprieve from the rain at the moment. There were puddles everywhere. When the woman and the kids reached her car, she opened the back door for the kids and then started putting the groceries in the trunk. Then she stopped and saw the little girl, who just happened to be standing in a puddle, and exclaimed, “Get out of the water! Are you stupid or something?”

I was speechless with shock. That woman’s words were so hateful. I stopped and stared, gaping at her. She didn’t notice. She was too busy grabbing the girl by the arms and forcing her into the car while berating her for her “stupidity.”  I said nothing. I did nothing. I shy away from conflict and angry people. There was a little voice in my head that said to walk away because it was none of my business. I walked into the store with my arms protectively covering my unborn child, and feeling like I should’ve said something, but what would I have said? To this day I still don’t know. I imagine that woman’s words stuck with that little girl for a very long time. How many other times had she heard such harsh words before then? How many other times since that day?

I confess I have been careless with my own words toward my kids and other people. Once something is said, you can’t take it back. We have to be careful with words. They have an effect on those around us. Harsh words sting like a slap in the face. They leave scars no one can see. Even the Bible admonishes us to be careful with our words. This pertains to gossip, slander, backbiting, abusive language, and so forth.

 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Proverbs 18:21

“Let no corrupt communications proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

“And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4