If there's one thing in this life that breaks my heart and drives me to my knees, it's people being ugly to other people. Human beings, created in the very image of God (Genesis 1:27), tearing down other human beings. There have been days when Cody has come home to a weeping wife simply because I was reading the comment section of some article on the internet. (Why do I keep doing that?! Note to self: read the article and move on with your day, Hannah.) People are nasty. We have all been guilty of saying things we ought not say, myself included. I have spent too many sleepless nights wishing I could reel some heedless words I spewed out back in. But it truly blows my mind how complete strangers will rip into each other over this world wide anonymous web.
And you know what's worse? We women are the champions of this. We always have been. It's as old as Sarai and Hagar (Genesis chapters 16 and 21). Probably older, but that's the first recorded account in the Bible of a woman bullying another woman. We know just how to cut someone down, and what's worse: we can do it with a sweet smile on our face and finish it off with a "Bless your heart!" (At least, down here in The South we can.)
This behavior does not go unnoticed. Look at this little snippet out of Vanity Fair:
"Who has not seen how women bully women? What tortures have men to endure, comparable to those daily-repeated shafts of scorn and cruelty with which poor women are riddled by the tyrants of their sex? Poor victims!"
This particular gem comes out of chapter 33 ("Miss Crawley's Relations Are Anxious") and can be found on page 318 in my copy.
Ladies, this should not be. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul commends us to encourage one another and build each other up. As wives, moms, friends, daughters, sisters, we ought to be in each other's corner. We should be cheering each other on, praying for one another, empathizing through struggles, and rejoicing together through triumphs.
Not talking behind each other's backs, gossiping at every opportunity, and shaming each other when we don't agree on some subject. This is not becoming, and it does not go unseen. I would challenge any woman reading this (in fact, even if you're not a woman, I challenge you, too) to make a point to go out of your way this week to encourage another woman. Tell someone she's doing something right.
Just remember what your momma always taught you: If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. And if your momma didn't teach you that, go write it on your mirror right now.
P.S. Caroline, make sure he sees this, will ya? Thanks, girl! ;)
Ladies, this should not be. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul commends us to encourage one another and build each other up. As wives, moms, friends, daughters, sisters, we ought to be in each other's corner. We should be cheering each other on, praying for one another, empathizing through struggles, and rejoicing together through triumphs.
Not talking behind each other's backs, gossiping at every opportunity, and shaming each other when we don't agree on some subject. This is not becoming, and it does not go unseen. I would challenge any woman reading this (in fact, even if you're not a woman, I challenge you, too) to make a point to go out of your way this week to encourage another woman. Tell someone she's doing something right.
Just remember what your momma always taught you: If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. And if your momma didn't teach you that, go write it on your mirror right now.
Also, I just gotta shout out my little brother right now. Happy Birthday, Oakie! I love you forever!
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| Both photos from our May 2011 Spain adventures. |
You know, I actually don't like the saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything," because people can be just as hurtful being silent as they can be with their words. I would like to submit a new saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, you better get your heart right!"
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I'm in complete agreement with this whole post - thank you!
I agree that the silent treatment can be hurtful too, but I think in most cases (particularly on the internet or with acquaintances as opposed to with family members or room-mates) it's better to just keep your mouth shut altogether.
DeleteProverbs 11:12
Proverbs 29:11
James 1:19
James 3:3-12
Done! We just read it together :) Wise words!
ReplyDelete=) I love you guys. Be expecting us for a weekend visit sometime soon. Once Cody gets his new schedule, we'll get with you on the dates.
DeleteWe need a thumbs up or a "like" on here. :)
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Deletepreach.
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