What’s your earliest memory? It’s funny what we remember, what sticks in our minds. Often it’s something someone said—whether good or bad—something that either helps us or haunts us for the rest of our lives. Especially as children, we’re impressionable—like wet cement just waiting for someone to leave their imprint on our character, our attitudes, our values—greatly influencing the way we think about God, self, and others. Children are especially susceptible, but even for the adults around us, our words have amazing power to heal or hurt, to build up or break down. And all around you are patches of wet cement (whether or not you’re a parent; whether or not you have a position of influence). Your words make a mark. What kinds of imprints are you leaving behind in the malleable hearts and minds of the people in your life?
