Have you ever been able to experience a day that took your breath away? Yesterday I had one of those days. I took the day off from work to get to be a part of something that will forever leave an imprint on a child’s heart. The children that were reached have the ability to take what they have been given and be the change that makes this world a kinder place to live. I don’t know about you, but that inspires me. It’s not something that we are dreaming about anymore, we are actually making it happen. This is EXCITING!  After 13 months of dreaming, planning, executing and persevering “The Tacky Box Program” found it’s way into the Boerne ISD Elementary Schools. Every day this week the Kindergarten classes at each of the schools will get introduced to “Max” and his jungle friends as they learn the impact and power of their words. They receive their very own “Tacky Box” where they will be able to throw away those ugly and tacky words that they hear and speak and lock them in the box forever.

The concept is a simple yet brilliant one that my childhood friend was blessed to bring to life. I love that this friendship that began when we were in elementary school, when others were leaving imprints on our hearts, has come together to keep passing on the good of this world. She flew in yesterday with her amazing team to help pave the way for bullying to stop, for kids to treat each other with respect and dignity. The amazing part was seeing these sweet five year olds grasp and understand the importance of using our words carefully. They got it! Some didn’t think they would, but they did. Listen guys, our children are wiser than we think. Jesus himself said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 

They are little sponges and they are learning quickly. They knew every tacky word that was introduced to them yesterday, and they knew that those words are not cool to say to their friends. Isn’t that true of us? We know which words are appropriate and good for building others up and we most definitely know the words that will tear someone down. Even in knowing this we still often choose the words that will bring harm and hurt to another person. This has to stop. We have to think before we speak. We have to choose wisely friends. We are hurting each other.  Just two weeks ago there was another suicide. This time it was nearby in New Braunfels, TX where a 12 year old was being bullied. 12 YEARS OLD! I can not comprehend this pain for those parents, those siblings, teachers, friends. All of it could have been prevented if others had only been kinder.

I am so proud that I belong to a school district that said YES, we care about our students and we want to help. This concept has the ability to go world-wide. Chris and her team are meeting with legislature this afternoon in Austin. Pray for them. Pray for there to be an open door for schools across Texas to be given the opportunity to have Tacky Box come and leave imprints on the hearts of many. I challenge you to be a voice for your schools. Ask them what they are doing to help prevent bullying on their campus? Ask them what curriculum they have in place and then ask how it is working? Tacky Box has proven statistics with the help of SMU and Dallas ISD. It is working and it is exciting to see the systematic change that is taking place. Don’t be naive to think that the ugly and poor behavior is not happening where you live. It is everywhere, but we are also everywhere!  We can BE THE CHANGE that makes this world a kinder place.

Let’s use our words for building others up and not tearing them down. Just like my mom always said, and yours probably told you to, “If you can’t say something nice then don’t say it at all.” Such words of wisdom to live by. Go and be the change today! Go use your words to build someone up today. You may never know…it could be the very words that keep them going. Let’s encourage each other!  Be blessed sweet friends!  #truth #gloryup

A special shout out and THANK YOU to the Boerne High School Theatre that brought Tacky Box to life.  These high school kids got to pour into the littles and teach them the power of their words. They did a MAGNIFICENT job!  Well done!

And to my amazing husband and his friends with the Fair Oaks Rotary Club, none of this could have been possible without YOU!  Thank you for believing in something so much bigger than all of us.  Your hearts are humble and soft. God bless all of you!