Sticks and Stones

She sat at her desk, pencil in hand, staring at the blank page in her brand new exercise book. Afsana looked around at her new classmates, most of whom were attempting to complete the writing task their teacher had set. The teacher strolled over, looking at the blank page and smiled at her. “Would you like some help with ideas?”

A shake of her head was Afsana’s only answer. A slight frown crossed the teacher’s face before she smiled and said, “It’s okay if you don’t know how to start. You can write about anything you like today. Tell me about anything you want to.”

That wasn’t the problem. Afsana didn’t need ideas. She had ideas. She was itching to start writing because she was a storyteller. It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to start; it was that she was afraid of what would happen when she did.

Afsana was glad her mum had taken her out of her last school after the teacher had thrown her writing book back at her, saying, “Your handwriting is disgusting! I can’t read a single word you’ve written!” This teacher seemed okay, but what if she said the same thing? She just knew it would happen because it had happened before. So she didn’t write anything.

Days passed. But each day at writing time, Afsana’s book remained empty. Oh, how she longed to write the stories that filled her head. Each time she picked up her pencil, a voice in her head taunted her. You’re a terrible writer! No one can understand anything you write! Your writing is disgusting. 

The teacher had prompted her to write every day. She’d even offered to write Afsana’s story down for her. But she shook her head.

By the Friday of the first week, Afsana was beginning to trust her teacher. Mum said the teacher was concerned about her. Perhaps she wouldn’t be too mean about her writing. This morning, as the day began, the teacher encouraged the class to value their skills and talents and not to worry about being different from the others. She said God made us all unique and he loves us just the way we are. Just the way he made us. 

Maybe today, she would write.

At writing time, Afsana opened her book to the first page, picked up her pencil and, hand shaking, began to write. And write. She couldn’t write her ideas fast enough. She didn’t even pause to look around at the others or her teacher.

Finally, the recess bell rang. When Afsana arrived at the front of the line to place her book on the pile, she slipped it under all the others. Perhaps the teacher would run out of time to look at her work.

All through recess, she sat watching the others play. She thought about her book at the bottom of the pile. Had her teacher seen it? What would she say? Would she demand it be written all over again, in neater writing?

After recess, the teacher smiled at the class. She hasn’t seen my writing yet. The maths activity was explained. It was a dice game, and Afsana was focused on making the largest number she could with each roll of the four ten-sided dice, when her name was called. Oh no! Here it comes! 

Bracing for the worst, Afsana approached the teacher who was sitting at her desk, with her writing book open in front of her. She didn’t look at the teacher, her eyes downcast.

“What you’ve written is amazing!”

Stunned, she looked up at her teacher, who was beaming.

“You have a talent for storytelling! I enjoyed reading your story. I can’t wait to read more.”

Slowly, a smile spread across Asfana’s face, and a delicate pink flush coloured her cheeks.

Like Asfana, you’ve probably been hurt by words. We’ve all heard the old playground chant, Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. it. It’s simply not true. Words can hurt. Deeply.

While it may have been true that Asfana’s handwriting was untidy, her stories were worth the effort of reading them. The Bible warns against careless use of our words:

“. . . the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.” James 3:5

What damage our words can do! They have the power to build up or tear down. Let's use them to be a blessing to others, not a curse. 

Praying the Scriptures can be a helpful way to remind ourselves to do just that. Psalm 19:14 is a wonderful prayer:

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

If you struggle to bless others with your words, try making the verse above your daily prayer, and watch the difference it can make!