Sticks And Stones

As kids we had some silly put-downs. "I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say bounces off of me, and sticks on you!" or "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Then there was, "I know you are but what I am I?" and finally, the end-all-beat-all, "Your momma!" When you got into a verbal altercation on the playground in elementary school, most of the time was spent jockeying into position to be able to drop one of those put-downs on the other combatant. If you could time it just right, you could send him home crying. The crowd would cheer. You'd be a hero! But if you waited a split second too long or hurled the jab a little too early - it was over. You were the one crying. You were the one left to play freeze tag by yourself. And the other guy was the hero. Timing back then was the same as timing is now - everything. 

The funny thing about those put-downs is that they never really hurt too badly. Oh sure, you felt like the world was going to end because you ended up being the glue and everybody knew it. But after a good dinner and a good night's sleep, all was right with that world and you had the chance to be the rubber NOT the glue and if you played your cards right, somebody's momma was in big trouble mister. No matter who ended up being the rubber or who ended up being the glue, everything eventually bounced off or rolled off and none of it was any skin off of your nose or back. 

But then something changed. The same deathblow in elementary school wouldn't phase them in middle school or junior high. And you better be practiced up and really creative once you move into high school. And somewhere along the line you had better pick up some thick skin. Otherwise you would be sent home crying. And this time it would linger a while. This time, it mattered whether or not you were the rubber or the glue. 

And then the stakes got even higher as you entered adulthood. Now we're playing for keeps. Now, the one hurling the verbal jabs and the one taking them both end up crying - on the outside or inside, but crying nonetheless. Yes...the stakes ARE higher. And the wounds are deeper. And the healing takes longer. 

And rest assured, the hurt will come. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.." Suffering is as much a part of life as is breathing. It's been said that if you aren't suffering now, either you just were or you soon will be. Suffering comes in all shapes and sizes. It comes from many different fronts. Sometimes the enemy is easily identified. Sometimes the enemy is wearing sheep's clothing. Sometimes the enemy stares back at us as we shave and brush our teeth in the morning. Sometimes you know the reason for the hurt, but sometimes - many times - you have to comfort yourself in the fact that God knows and you may never. 

One thing is constant - hurt hurts. Now, some will tell you that it doesn't hurt - that it's nothing, that it doesn't matter. But it does hurt, it is something, and it does matter. That's why it hurts. And even the hardest heart cracks when hit. Even the one who is seemingly so strong on the outside can be devastated by the hurt. Many of us have a veneer - it may be sarcasm or false strength or stoicism. But that thin film is easily penetrated by the carefully timed jab. And - it - hurts. 

But just as sure as the hurt comes, so does the healing. It may take some time, but it does come. It may take some work, but it does come. It may hurt like methiolade as it does it's work in you. But it does come. There will be times when you doubt. There will be days when the hurt SEEMS deeper. You will think the salve is insufficient for the wound. But there IS a Balm of Gilead. God does catch our tears in a bottle according to the Psalms and He understands. He heals. When that hurtful jab is hurled and connects on the soft tissue of a broken heart He wants us to do what we did when we were kids. He wants us to run home to Him. 

Sticks and stones may break my bones, and names are sure to hurt me. But whether I'm the rubber or the glue, or whether I know you are, but what I am is still in question, and no matter if my momma has been summoned - I have a Father up in Heaven who hears me and sees me and HE is inclined to help me. The Lord will deliver me in the time of trouble. 

And timing is everything. 

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