The Boomerang …Hello Hump Day readers. Have you encountered a boomerang? As kids, we had one but I just couldn’t fly it so it would come back to me. My dad was patient as I struggled and finally I got it. I loved how it came back–as if it knew who I was! But, when it didn’t come back then I would holler at it and the only thing that came back was my not-so-nice-words!

There’s a story from a 3rd-grade teacher I want to share. It was about Billy, who got into a fight with another boy on the playground. Billy lost and the teacher sent him home. His mom put ice on his black eye and asked him why he did that. He said “It was Brad’s fault; he threw the first punch so I yelled at him.” His mom knew there was more to the story so she asked him “what did you say to him?” Billy knew he was in trouble and he hung his head down and mumbled “I told him he was dumb and ugly.” His mom knew it was more than that. So she finished icing his black eye and told him to come outside with her. “Look at all our beautiful hills Billy” what do they say to you?” He was perplexed so she told him to yell at the hills saying the worst name he could think of. He liked the idea and every time he said a bad word it came right back to him! “Mom, the hills are nasty to me.” She smiled and said, “now call out to the hills and say, ‘God bless you’ and he did and the hills shouted “God bless you.”

This story doesn’t end with young Billy, it continued with Rev. Billy Graham, whose life was changed that day in how he said things and did things. One of his most important words he shared with other people was “It’s a general rule of life that others usually treat you according to how you treat them. If you use harsh words and insults, then that’s probably what you’re going to get back. But if you speak words of blessing into others’ lives, that’s often what you’ll reap.”

Billy also used Ephesians 4:31-32 [from The Living Bible which he was authored] in many of his sermons and outreaches: “Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.”

This week we will celebrate Thanksgiving. What kind of words will we share with one another? Will they be uplifting and loving? I’ve worked with community outreaches that give food at Thanksgiving. I’ll be honest, some of the most desperate people will come to have a decent meal and some may not be very kind—struggles often take your joy. They may smell bad and have tattered clothing yet they are still God’s children and they need to know our loving God who will help their tattered lives. Don’t put them down because of who they are or what they look like. Think of the story of young Billy—what you say will come back to you and now you are in the same place they are and that is NOT what the love of Jesus is about. Be kind and gentle with them, share a smile–reach out and get to know them.

Who are some people in your life today that you need to speak words of kindness and compassion? Maybe you had a squabble with them, but think about this: how does it make you feel when others use negative words toward you? Oops—there goes that boomerang!

The end of the story is this: “Use words of kindness and compassion to others and show them God’s love because that’s exactly what you want to get back!” Like the boomerang, we can shout out ugly words but they will come right back at us and that doesn’t present a good child of God. So season your speech with love, compassion and kindness so others would see Jesus in you! AMEN.    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!