sticks and stones.

i don't know about you, but that saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is awful. words hurt. almost as bad as a stick being slapped to your arm or being pegged in the head with a stone....those things have never happened to me, but words, words have happened to me.

this isn't one of those blog posts that calls for a "woe is me" pity party. it is exactly the opposite. while words can be painful and just down right mean, there are words that are a balm to your soul. words that pierce your heart and overwhelm you with joy and love. words that instantly bring tears to your eyes because of what they mean.

my sweet Sweet Rolls are doing a study in Philippians right now. man...we are only in the first chapter, but Paul's love for the church in Philippi is just drippy sweet.

"It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since i have you in my heart and, whether i am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how i long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:7-8

it immediately makes me think of those people God has put in my life that i long to see. not because we are far from each other, but because we share in the same gift of grace and mercy. and how about this one...

"the Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love, he will exult over you with loud singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

take a moment. your day will continue, but take at least a moment, open your Bible, and let the healing words of Scripture usher you into the sweet presence of the Lord.