I walked into a large greenhouse the other day and found a room full of cactus.  There were several different varieties of cactus scattered around the building and each seemed very different from its neighbor.  Some were tall, some had tiny thorns, some had long stalks covered in needles and others like this one had long dangerous looking barbs.   A cactus plant has a nasty way of helping you to remember it.  Because it leaves its ugly calling card with you each time you make the mistake of bumping into it.

                How many times do we have to meet Mr. Cactus before we learn that this plant is more than just a pretty face?  Can you remember as a child carrying his calling card around in your hand for a few days like I did?  He has a way of making a very memorable first impression.  He gains your respect the old fashioned way, and then usually makes you pay for the experience with blood, tears and pain.  His hand shake stings, his stare is icy, his personality is abrasive, and his words always seem to hurt.  And ever since I was a child I always avoided any contact with Mr. Cactus.

                I am afraid many times our speech sounds like Mr. Cactus taught us to talk.  Our words seem to be covered in thorns and usually the ones left to deal with the aftermath are the ones we work with or those who love us the most.  I can remember once when I was about 10 years old my blind grandmother heard me and my brother make fun of someone in a cruel way.  Boy did she help me to see the error of my way!  It was the last real spanking (it was more like a massacre) I ever got.  Afterwards through tears she told me how children use to mock her as a child; she did me a great favor that day.

                But the truth is our words have a great deal of power and we can use them to either help or hurt.  Our words can bring encouragement or tears, laughter or torment, blessing or a curse; and the choice is totally up to us.  We can fill up our days being critical, sarcastic and slanderous or by being supportive, caring and positive; and we get to choose.  Let our words be marked by honesty, thoughtfulness and a gentle concern for those we meet today, especially those who call us friends.  What have we got to lose?

Something to think about:

• Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will make me go in a corner and cry by myself for hours.

• Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.

• He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help.

• Silence is sometimes the severest criticism.

• There are times when to say anything is to say the wrong thing.

• A lot of molehills become mountains when someone adds a little dirt. 

• Always keep your words soft and sweet—one day you may have to eat them.

Your friend with a big pile of sticks and stones
Rickey Moore