Charlotte described Wilbur in her web with such words as "some pig," "terrific," "radiant," and "humble".
At one point in the novel, Wilbur inquires why Charlotte has treated him so nicely by aiding in his survival. "Why did you do all this for me?" Wilbur asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you." "You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing."
Earlier in the summer, I noticed a different spider than any I had seen around the house before outside near my hydrangea bush. This spider is commonly known as a writing spider. Sounds cute and all of that, but I'd prefer to have no spiders. As I watered the hydrangea, I squirted him and his web a bit before deciding to let him stay there (at least for the time being). After talking to the hubby about it, he informed me that they are good spiders to have around. I have to disagree, as no spiders are good to have around - at least when there is a possibility of them coming inside which frequently happens!
But our spider friend has behaved and remained in generally the same area on the side of the house all summer long, so I am pleased with him. I have mostly avoided being in the summer heat for an extended amount of time lately, but our plants (what is left of them) were pleading for water. This afternoon, I noticed our little writer was hanging out with his web connected to the house and a small nearby tree. He had really done a lot of work to his home, and it looked like he had successfully attracted dinner.
When I was looking at his vividly colored body, Charlotte and Wilbur popped into my mind. It may have been due to the sermon on Sunday at church that was focused on uplifting those around us instead of tearing them down with our words. The pastor talked about how we so easily think of negative words to say about others but have a difficult time finding good to say. He used the biblical passage about the woman caught in adultery who the Pharisees wanted to have stoned according to the law. He explained how Jesus did not focus on the sin itself. He did not attack her for her wrongdoing and call her names - instead Jesus focused on her redemption by telling her to go and sin no more. The pastor had everyone in the congregation write down a word or phrase on a slip of paper that someone had said to them or called them at some point in their life - something that hurt them so much that it has stayed with them.
It was easy for me to think of something to write down. The difficult part for me was choosing one of several things that quickly came back to mind. I decided to write down the most recent one. Afterward, everyone passed in their slip of paper. The papers were mixed up and passed out. I opened the slip I received, and it said "cold hearted". Some people in the congregation shared the word(s) on their paper out loud. Such words as "selfish," "dumb," "fat," "skinny," and "idiot". And as easy as it for us to think of all those people in our life time who have hurt us with their words, how many people out there still remember the negative words we used toward them in the past?
Charlotte did the one thing she could to appeal to the farmer. She wrote. She devoted her time to thinking of the best words to use to describe her friend Wilbur. And ultimately, a few words led to saving his life. Yes, it is just a novel, but it doesn't just have to stay a story. The words we use every day can impact someone's life one way or another - you never know when you may be saving someone's life who is on the brink of giving up, simply by uplifting them instead of tearing them down. Or on a smaller level, you may just brighten someone's day.
I will never forget the time when Matt and I were still getting to know each other, and he told me I was beautiful. No big deal, right? I was so taken aback when he said it because no man had ever used that word to describe me. Cute, pretty, sweet - yes ... but beautiful - no. It sounds silly, but hearing that for the first time filled me with such joy and made me feel special. It was probably that moment when a spark went off for me, and I knew I wanted to get to know him even more. Now I am his wife.
Likewise, I have a friend from college who was always bothered by me calling her an idiot. It was a word I was stuck on, and I used it frequently (sometimes without realizing it) when I would talk to her. One day, she told me to stop, and I could see the hurt in her eyes. I was blind to how much I was hurting her each time I used the word. I would venture to guess that this particular friend still remembers that to this day. Once we say things, we can't take them back. Why not use our webs of life to weave a glorious pattern of love and kindness for those around us instead of leaving behind a history of hurt that we cannot undo?
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