It was one of those perfect South Florida December days, when the sky resembles the Caribbean Ocean with big white wisps of whipped cream floating by, and being with my one and only sibling sister made it all the more special. We were taking a morning walk, through her neighborhood, with Sam my dog on his retractable leash sniffing and snorting everything that didn’t move. As it goes with sisters, and especially with one you haven’t seen in six months, we were deeply conversing about everything under the sun, solving our family problems, venting our frustrations and not paying one bit of attention to anything other than walking straight ahead and keeping Sam out of flower beds.
Swish #@*!& a gasp for breath. Left hand grabbing my sister’s arm. Feet catching their balance. “Man, what was that?” I looked behind me and saw what I slipped on. A big pile of dog poo right there on the sidewalk, now, with my foot imprinted in it and spreading it forward six inches. “Good grief!” Now, mind you not my Sam’s doing, a very big dog had passed this way.
Being like-minded, sister and I both said, almost at the same time, “Great blog material!”
But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 1 Corinthians 8.9
I have a circle of friends (sister and cousins included) that I can present my stuff without judgment, criticism, or condemnation. Within this circle we all have a safe place to be ourselves, to get real, to be transparent, to make mistakes, to mis-speak – you understand, we can drop our stuff on the sidewalk. We are besties, sworn to secrecy, what’s said with these friends, stays with these friends – you get my point.
But when you sin against the brethren (sisters), and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 1 Corinthians 8.12
Hypocritical or wise? There are many women in my circle of influence that I wouldn’t dream of being transparent or open with because they wouldn’t get it – they don’t know me as well as my besties – they don’t know my heart like my BFF’s do and they might take offense or take a big slide back and misunderstand. Like me on the sidewalk, they may flail their arms and almost fall because of misunderstanding. That, my friend, isn’t being hypocritical, that is being wise.
In our fast-paced world of tweets and posts and hashtags and pins, we must be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves so we are never guilty of wounding a weak conscience or being a stumbling block to those who may be new to the faith.
Let’s be sure to watch what we drop.
xo
Wow! this is good, at first, I couldn’t stop laughting. And then Truth, came.
Love it, so much an eye opener. Thanks honey, I’m sharing this one.
P.S. I just love Wednesday, Why , you asked, because I get excited for your blog!
One of my BIG pet peeves…when someone brings their pets to my yard…I hand them some plastic bags…explain that my grandchildren and I play out there….and I expect any droppings to be picked up and removed. Don’t know how in the world one would ever control public places…but I’m sure someone is working on a solution!
This is POWERFUL! Yes, yes, yes, that is truth! My new “besties” and I can talk about everything — everything including men, sex, issues, past men, past “stuff” — BUT there are some in my “not besties” group that could not hear that because they aren’t ready for it, they aren’t designed to hear it, they wouldn’t understand that as Christian women we too have some “worldly” stuff in our lives!
Sister, again, again you hit right where my heart is this morning!
Miss you muchly, love you muchly, am cold this a.m. muchly but not as cold as you’all are!
Peg
So wise and so true. With a “social network” of over 1000 I find it a great challenge to choose my words carefully (which I admitting don’t always do). I have even had other Christians call me shallow or hypocritical for not jumping on their every judgmental soap box. It is hard enough to minister to non-Christians or new Christians with the love of Christ, unconditionally, without having to be challenged by “strong” Christians for every word I “don’t” say. I am so grateful for those special friends that I can be totally real with and vent to; they are the true back bone helping me to do what God has called me to do. I praise God for them and all of you. <3
Annette, so glad you popped over, read, and commented! YAY! I hope I can be counted as one of your “ventee’s”!!!!!!!!!!!!! xo
We slip and slide through life sometimes but the ‘cornerstone’ always holds us solid and strong. I have a group of ladies in my Bible Study I am so grateful for…we can also talk about anything and everything and nothing ‘leaves the room’ Things upon our hearts and minds that need to be said and prayed over…
We are a legion of women who stand with one another no matter what comes along…we work it out.
God is good.
Shalom
A “legion” of women – LOVE that….I may have to “borrow” it sometime!!! xo
Wonderful! WONDERFUL!!!!!!
Love this! Wish we lived nearer one another, Susan. You are a safe and encouraging place. Stepping into it with you doesn’t sound half bad!
#&@!*
Wendy, I do believe we’d “keep it real!”
Love this post! Full of truth!
Charlotte, anyone who bears their tummy in their blog, has to tell the truth! Thanks!
Such wise words! Being able to be transparent with your besties is such a gift! Yet, you’re right, there are plenty of times when we need to choose our words carefully, so they won’t be taken the wrong way.
Every time I step in dog poo, you know I’m going to think of this lesson! I never thought there would be a redeeming value in dog poo. lol
Lynnae, the older I get I am realizing there is a lesson in just about everything!!!
What a great reminder. Sometime I think we forget that the stuff we put out there is just as real as if you were talking to someone in person except so many more people see it.
I love how you took a crappy experience and made a great post.
Amanda, love your play on words!!!
Thanks for sharing I am new to the blogging world and this is great advice and wisdom!
Laura, welcome to the Blogosphere!!! You will make many new friends here.
So funny. My dogs sometimes sneak into the garage during the winter, and yesterday heading out the door, I stepped in some….ugh! Smelled it when I got in the car….gee willikures. Well, you know the rest!
I sure do, Debi!!!