Rising above it

A women I met through my past job at Watoto posted this on Facebook today, and I thought it was so thought provoking that I had to do a quick blog.  

A confident, gracious woman will help lift up other woman who are strong, talented, beautiful, intelligent… It is a tragedy that because of competition, envy, jealously, or insecurity that women criticize, condemn, withdraw, neglect, or even tear down their sisters from being all they can be in life or in ministry.  Melanie Stone

 How many times do we criticize or condemn others, male or female, rich or poor without knowing their circumstance?  People are rarely what them seem on the outside. That smile maybe hiding deep sadness. Though they may appear to be financially well off, they could be on the brink of bankruptcy. 

While it is true we all are free make choices, we also make mistakes. For instance maybe you invested in stocks prior to the recession and lost out when the bottom dropped.  Mistake... but how could you have known?   Someone that doesn’t know your financial situation could be wondering why you don’t pick up the check at dinner anymore. 

I have been accused of being argumentative when someone takes a stand to criticize or condemn someone else.  I don’t think of it as being disagreeable, just empathic.  Since I have been on so many field trips in my life, I feel I must give others the benefit of the doubt for their actions.  Do I occasionally vent, you bet, but once I calm down I always go back to why that happened.  What happened in the past to cause this, it’s cause and effect.  Not an excuse per se, but a lesson to learn from.  It’s not that I have always been this way really, but have grown into it.... in 56 years I hope I have grown into something, Just kidding, but this is a trait I am proud of, and it gives me joy to lift up my beautiful talented sisters (and brothers)in Christ!

So, I am just saying this.  When the urge to criticize, condemn or tear down someone else arises, stop.  Think about them, what is the possible cause and effect?  Otherwise your immaturity could be showing....