Pearls of wisdom. They are of great value. They keep us in suspense, make us laugh or make us cry. We can become angry, insulted, sad or depressed, and we can be inspired.
Words are priceless. Their power is awesome and should be used carefully, especially when in conversation with others. They have the power to gain friends or lose them. Words can cut someone down or build them up.
I am sure many of you, like myself, have offended others with our choice of words and wish we could have taken them back. Too late, the damage has been done.
Often, too, we are guilty of not listening to what is really being said. Our minds are somewhere else, resulting in misunderstanding. We need to practice listening with our ears and eyes, as our body language telegraphs things not said.
Children often misinterpret what is said, too. We have to be careful when we are joking with them, as they often take comments seriously and can be hurt by our words.
I sometimes look back to when I was a child. I did have many things said to me that were hurtful, some not intentional but mostly intentional. They still play out in my mind from time to time. That's why I feel so bad for people who are bullied today. The words scar for life.
Sometimes, too, I would misunderstand words of songs and sing totally different words. You may remember from way back, a song that went like this: "Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lames eat ivy, a kid'll eat ivy too, wouldn't you?" I used to sing, "Mazzy dotes and dozy dotes and little lamseedivy, a kiddleydivy do, wouldn't you?"
Misunderstandings are common and people are upset by what they think is being said.
I have had many misunderstandings over the years, usually people have totally taken something out of context and vice versa.
I'll end this column by telling you a funny story about our eldest daughter, Caroline. I think she was about five years old and at Sunday School when the teacher asked, "What did the wise men bring to Jesus?" Caroline's answer, "gold, Frankenstein and myrrh."
So, let's be careful.
Have a great day and take care.
