Photo by: Shayan
Happy Monday, Mompreneurs!
It’s Memorial Day, which means many of us are home relaxing, getting in some extra sleep, and spending quality time with our families.
I know I am doing all three and then some! :)
This past weekend was an interesting one. I had some rather uncomfortable, make-you-wanna-cry-and-coward moments in both my personal and professional life.
(I am neither a crier or a coward.)
In both cases, it wasn’t so much what anyone said, but it was how they made me feel – like I wasn’t welcomed.
Cold.
Calculated.
And it was painstakingly obvious.
I kept a smile on my face, continued on gracefully, and asked the Lord to help me maintain my integrity.
But it was HARD.
HARD, I tell you.
You see words hurt and they can cut not just to the bone, but through the bone. They are certainly powerful. People, though, don’t always remember words, but they do remember how you make them feel.
So as I worked through my emotions, I thought about how I make others feel and how those feelings linger once they leave my presence.
Are they leaving with a lasting memory-feeling that will “call” them to engage again?
Or are they forever repulsed?
In both my personal and professional dealings, I don’t ever, ever, ever want anyone to feel awful, unwelcomed, or unloved. The Lord would not be pleased and that could be one person lost to the Kingdom. It also would not speak well of His Kingdom.
If I have, I ask you forgiveness and I promise to do what I can to make the situation right. Please reach out to me. ♥
This scripture didn’t even come to me until just before I started pinning this post. This has been of great comfort to me:
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced, ashamed, or confounded.
Therefore, I have set my face like flint,
determined to do his will,
And I know I will not be put to shame.Isaiah 50:7
Of course, in situations like these, there’s always a lesson to be learned and an opportunity to show the love of Christ. That’s exactly what I intend to do! My Lord would have it no other way. :)
I know I’m probably rambling, I still can’t quite get all of my words together and make this post thematic. Honestly, I’m still dealing with both of these experiences and praying that I walk in a level of forgiveness that will allow the Lord’s Kingdom to be spoken well of.
May you find something in this post you can use and love on others who aren’t always very loving towards you. Most of all may you show the love of Christ and be sure to leave an impression of a “good feeling” on others, knowing this feeling will last into eternity. ♥
~ My Prayer for You ~
Father, on days when we may face uncomfortable situations, in both our personal and professional lives, please comfort us. Wrap your arms around us and show us your love.
Show us how to love…on purpose, with great meaning, and a great passion for the lives of others.
Make us like the flint, you speak about in Isaiah 50.
May we stand strong in uncomfortable times.
May be stable in joyous times.
May our work for you and our name, never be put to shame.
Most of all, may we become the standard of Godly excellence, professional integrity, and gracious countenance.
All of this we ask, in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Dance with the King!
I’ve never thought of it that way, but you are so right. We may not remember the words a person used, but we do remember how they made us feel. That thought definitely makes me think about how I make others feel and the sort of impression I’m leaving with them.
Thanks you for sharing,
Mary Beth
newlifesteward.com
Mary Beth recently posted..Lord, Teach Us to Pray {Part 4}: Praying the Lord’s Prayer Part 2
Mary Beth,
You are absolutely right! You picked the word I was looking for “impression” we leave this “impression” on people about who we are and who we serve. Kind of like those leaf impressions we did as kids. The ones where you take a leaf, put it underneath a white sheet of paper, then take a crayon and color over it. You are left with the impression of the leaf even once the leaf is gone. That’s how our words (or lack thereof) can affect others.
Thank you for sharing!
~Angelica
AngelicaKimberly recently posted..Coming Around Full Circle…
Thank you for this encouragment. It’s so true that people don’t always remember words, I definitely remember though how people make me feel. It amazes me even, how skilled women are at making each other feel awful with actually very few words! I had a situation at work that left me feeling awful. I guess it’s a good reminder that I can only control how I make others feel. Better to focus on that than dwell on how I feel.
Jenn,
We, as women, are professions at it! We don’t even have to say a word, just our disposition and our spirit can leave someone feeling awful. I had to really take a second look at myself and repent for anything I’ve done in the past to leave someone feeling really bad – whether intentional or not. It certainly helped me take the focus off of myself and the pity party I was trying to have. :)
Thank you for sharing with me!
~Angelica
What a beautiful post! I loved it. Thank you for sharing that experience with us and showing us how we can learn from even the “uncomfortable.” Actually, we learn more from that than anything, don’t we?
Lovely blog!
michelle @ this little light recently posted..Announcing tll’s Keepin’ It Simple Summer!
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing! Our words can bring life or pain. I am always reminding my children of this daily. Stoppin by via the link up :) http://simplyhelpinghim.blogspot.com/
Misty recently posted..Working Eagerly while Wisely Building my Home
What a great post! Visiting from GMG Wednesday link up!
http://lawyergirlruns86.blogspot.com/2012/05/women-in-word-wednesday-2012-summer_30.html
I just made time to read this post, and I’m glad that I did. Here’s a peek into my past:
From age 8 to about age 15 I was constantly compared to my older and younger sister. Both were (and still are) physically beautiful and very shapely, and I was a chubby ugly duckling that took a long time to bloom. I was tortured by many ladies in church that found time to mention how pretty “she” was, and “Oh! Aren’t you getting fat!” each and every Sunday. Sometimes I wasn’t acknowledged at all when I was with them. Going to church was torturous and unfortunately, I’d never stick up for myself. I was taught not to talk back to adults because it was disrespectful. Instead, I’d internalize what was said to me and felt like crap. Anyway, after so many years of this, I was ‘programmed’ to compare myself to others…and sadly, I’d always come out lacking.
Now as an adult, I have learned a few things, namely that we should never compare God’s creations because they’re all beautiful and have a purpose. When I go back to visit my home church, the ladies are still there, but now they say how pretty I’ve grown up to be or how nice I dress. Inwardly, I roll my eyes, but I just say ‘thank you’ and keep it moving. What they said AND how they made me feel in the past is harder to let go than just saying ‘let it go’. I had residual self-esteem issues well into my late 20′s and it all stemmed from how I was made to feel in my childhood. My issues occasionally pop up, but I’m much better at defending myself now. :)
I apologize for the long post, but I wanted to share that – you’ve brought up something important that we all should keep in mind. Whether the person we’re in the presence of is a child, a peer, or an enemy, we should project God’s love and kindness. To damage the spirit of another, whether intentionally or not, is horrible, and you never know the effects your words/actions may have. Keep spreading His love and light Angelica. You never know what the impact may be!
With Love,
Nayo
I know God has blessed us with the gut feeling. Even when someone says something nice your gut tells you if it is genuine. When it comes to sharing the Lord I want to be completely genuines. Amen.
Kathleen recently posted..Contentment – To Live is Christ
Wow… Both thought provoking and toe stepping. Ouch. I’m guilty and ashamed. How often I fail to go that extra mile (foot) to welcome someone. A visitor at church or a cashier at the store. You definitely spoke to me, my friend.
Robin recently posted..Thought Provoking Rachel