Sticks and Stones

"Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."

This classic phrase has been around for many years and I'm sure most of you have heard it at some point in your life. This is what we heard as kids when people bullied us and said hurtful things.  You know what? This phrase is completely bogus. 

Proverbs 12:18

Words DO hurt and stick with us for a long time. Gossip and hurtful words are even mentioned in the Bible(Proverbs 20:19). "Mean girls" are an epidemic in our society.  We have all been victims of it and many of us have been "mean girls"(me included). 

I really feel like it has been laid on my heart to talk about this topic today. I myself have been a victim to gossip and "backstabbing" lately.....and I've also been a "mean girl." Over the last couple of weeks a few things have shown me that God is really trying to speak to me on this topic. 

Did you know that even in Biblical times there was gossip and "mean" girls?  I learned about this from Pastor Joe(who is awesome...if you didn't know that already).  Go back to the story of the woman at the well(John 4).  She had been married five times and was living with someone outside of marriage. Imagine doing that back in Biblical days....she was probably shunned like no other. 

She was at the well by herself around lunch time.  Typically, women came to the well early in the morning.  She didn't because she would have been talked about and those women would have said ugly things to her.  I don't blame her for avoiding that. 

You know what? Jesus STILL talked to her and loves her.  Regardless of her past, he wanted her to know that he was the only water she would ever need....she would never thirst again.  He paid attention to her....which is huge. 

Often times, the whispers behind our backs, are the insecurities in our heads.  This feeds those insecurities and makes us question our worth. We start thinking "Maybe I'm not good enough," "I'm ugly," "Why don't people like me?", "I'm a bad mom", "I'm fat".....etc.  You get the point.  

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Adorabelles 

We have no idea what someone is going through in life.  That girl that comes to Walmart in pajamas....maybe, just maybe she's a stay at home momma that just needed to get out of the house for a few minutes.  That girl with the crazy hair...she likes to express herself and it makes her feel good.  That woman you call a "ho".....maybe she's been abused in her past and she is sincerely looking for love and doesn't know how to find it.  That girl you called fat....maybe she is struggling with an eating disorder.  My point is....you just never know.  

Less Judgey More Lovey(Shout out to my girls at Pretty Little Primitives) 

How do we stop this craziness?  LOVE!  Stop judging people, stop talking about people, and LOVE people.  That girl at the office you can't stand.....invite her to lunch one day.  That neighbor that drives you crazy....bring them cookies and a smile.  Tell someone they look beautiful....someone you don't normally talk to.  

We have to stop going behind each other's backs and whispering lies.  We are stronger women when we stick together and are loyal to each other.  We are called to love.....so let's start doing it. And remember this:

My challenge to you is to step out of your comfort zone and love on somebody that you've maybe not been so kind to.  I'm in on this challenge too!   Who's with me?