Without apology, I enjoy  using social media–specifically Facebook. It’s a platform to stay connected with family members and friends, mostly those who live in nearby cities or out-of-state. My media account also allows me to “post” something about my day or convey thoughts that I ponder from time to time. Almost always, my posts  receive many comments–positive or negative–some of which cause me to churn and mull over MORE thoughts and opinions. My churn was activated yesterday after reading one of the comments directed at a post I had made earlier in the day.

I had posted that on a morning walk with our granddaughter, age 3, her insistence closing the openings of numerous ant hills that we found. I attempted to explain the importance of the tiny openings, but to no avail. She was adamant, using her little index finger to gently move the sand over each opening.

My post received several comments, the majority recalling childhood memories of stomping on ant hills to flatten them. One mom who commented to me, outlined how she’s teaching her child NOT to stomp on ant hills, that they are God’s creatures, comparing the ants to people–‘would you like to be stomped on?’

Words have power. Proverbs 21:23 states “Those  who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity”.  In tandem I love what Proverbs 31:26 says as well, “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”

Words love. Words encourage. Words hurt. Words wound. Words instruct. Words speak louder than our actions. Words “stomp”. Words “flatten”. Maybe we stomp  from a place of anger or sheer pleasure. What if we took a daily inventory of our words? This is a principle I have learned from being in recovery for my hurts, habits and hangups, all under the teachings and principles of Celebrate Recovery.

I know that ants are resilient little creatures. The small ones down the road will unite, join forces and reopen/rebuild the tiny doors to their homes. That’s a Godly form of teamwork placed within them that can be a HUGE example to us humans as we encounter setbacks in life whether they be expected or caught off guard.

I know that with God’s help I can be resilient too. My daily goal is to be more like Him than the previous day. I do that by reading scripture, listening to His voice through the Holy Spirit, praying, and surrounding myself with like-minded friends who speak words of love, affirmation, encouragement, and instruction into my life. They are the same friends who help me “reopen” an area of my life that was hurt or damaged. And, just as important, remind me when I’ve been the one to “stomp” on someone who did not deserve the lashing.