This past week was my nephew Taran’s Gotcha Day. Two years ago the little man arrived from China to meet our family holding posters and cheering. Each year we gather to celebrate and this year we were headed to a splash park. One where there is a “big bucket” that Taran loves to talk about and stand under!

Only the morning of the party a group text arrived. Taran’s daycare had an outbreak of lice. The epicenter was a group of girls playing hair. Though triple checked and clean – my sister still felt the need to warn everyone. In poured text responses and soon a discussion on natural lice prevention (Audrey would bring supplies for anyone who wanted to be safe). Which brought on another question, “Are we talking super lice or just the regular kind?” My sister had no idea. I didn’t even know there was super lice, so I responded, “Just look for little capes! 😉 ”

The conversation ended at that point or maybe I was cut out of the chain so mature voices could unearth kryptonite and stopped these capped menaces! Either way I was left scratching my head. Not because I didn’t know about super lice, but because the word lice was mentioned!

I would guess the same is true of everyone who received Aud’s initial text – each started to itch. Even typing this blog and every time I see the picture at the top, I am unable to resist the impulse to scratch.

Of course I don’t have lice – but the word is contagious. So are a lot of words and actions. Both positive and negative.  A smile will spread across faces.

Meg and I were on a date last week. Our car pulled up to a stop light and the guy next to us was yelling at us. At first I couldn’t understand (and I was a bit startled), then as he pointed to the lady next to him I heard, “I LOVE THIS WOMAN!”

And just like that I wanted to shout back, “I love this woman!” and point toward Meg.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29