Today an adorable little boy came up to me and said, “Miss Kayla, you are very beautiful.” Those words from such a little person warmed my heart. What is it about a little kid speaking kind words to an adult which can make a heart melt? It wasn’t as though today was a “Monday.” It wasn’t a bad day. In fact, today was one of my favorite types of days. My favorite days are filled with teaching, productivity, laughter, and people.

I went by the cafeteria to say hi to my daughter before she headed out for recess. As I was giving her a hug, a typically rambunctious kid spoke to me. He said those thoughtful words. It made me smile from ear to ear. I felt like I could take on the world because “I am beautiful.”

Kids speak the truth. Alot. I think it is because they don’t have filters. They don’t know all of the social graces, niceties, and political correctness adults have been learning to use for years and years. Kids have a thought, then seconds later the words are out forever.   Sometimes the things they have to say are very life giving, other times words that crush you deep inside. They see your deepest insecurities, and pounce on them. Typically, they don’t mean to be malicious about it when speaking to an adult, but sometimes the words cut like a knife through butter.

Children don’t realize the emotional impact words contain. These words are swords. However, sometimes the sword is used to slay giants. Giants built from years of self loathing, negative comments, failed attempts to be better, and of course the hurtful moments from childhood.

Little boys love to play the hero, the dragon slayer, the champion. It is one of the many reasons the Bible passage about David killing Goliath strikes a chord with little boys. They see the need for a hero when Goliath is taunting the Israelites. “I’ll step up! I’m big! I’m strong! I have faith that God will lead me into victory!” (Paraphrased 1 Samuel 17.) A young shepherd takes on a giant for several reasons: defying his God cannot be tolerated as well as for the reward. But the greater is the inability to condone the filth the giant is spewing.

We all have giants. My giants are probably a little bit different than yours. Some of the things you struggle with may be completely different than mine. Things that bother me, may be a joke to you. However, the point still remains, we all have giants, and they need slaying. I know that ultimately, my giants have already been slain by the greatest Hero, Jesus Christ. But they still like to taunt me.

Today a six year old, rambunctious, hyper active, sweet talking little boy wounded one of my giants. He wasn’t seeking to gain anything from me by complimenting me. He doesn’t know the game yet. He was simply saying the words that came into his mind. Today, I stand taller because of a precious six year old. Thanks Carter for making my day!