Good morning all. I came across something this morning, and suddenly needed to write about it, so here I am. Let's jump right in, shall we? Busy day ahead.
So, on Facebook this morning, I saw a status that went something like, "...please keep Xxxxx in your thoughts and prayers (if applicable)."
I'm sorry, what?? I hate to rip apart a status that I know is important to someone, but there are so many things wrong with that request. I am shaking my head, but need you to know that I have abundant love for the requestor. I respect her very much, even though I'm blogging about her- gasp! The way I look at it, I am not blogging about
her, but about this statement. Anyway. Two things.
First of all, do we need to be so PC these days that we have to put "(if applicable)" when we ask for prayers? I am sure that nobody on your Facebook is going to rip you a new one if you left that out. Especially on a status like this one. That would be extremely insensitive. I think the "if applicable" statement just calls out that you are
trying to be respectful of everyone, but is completely unnecessary. Do you really think that someone who doesn't pray is going to read a status that leaves off the "if applicable", and balk? Do you think that you will
make them pray, against their will, because you didn't tell them that if it doesn't apply to them they don't have to? I mean, come on. Really?
Secondly, why ask someone to
think about another person. I know that "think" is an "action word", but is there really any action behind it? That's like thinking "I'd love to have a turkey sandwich right now" and not getting up and making one. Or "I think I my son should stop pulling his sister's hair," without doing anything about it. I don't get it. I'm not trying to be insensitive. I know that when someone tries to console you, by telling you they are thinking of you (or your dad, granma, goldfish, etc), that it can be comforting. But the message there is different. You've been on their mind. Totally legit, in my book. But why would you ask someone to think of you (or your dad, grandma, goldfish, etc), when the
act of thinking does nothing. Even if you, personally, do not pray- if you are going to mention it at all, why bother doing it half heartedly? Are you not sure if you want someone to do what you're asking?
Get behind your words, people! Ask for what you really need. If you're too afraid to ask, then how will you ever get what you want? We need to be people that "do", that act. Thinking without action produces nothing.
Ok, that's all. Jumping off my soapbox, and into my day.
And praying that somewhere, someday, something that I write here stirs something in one of you. Make it a great day, y'all. Don't expect it to just be handed to you! But that's a post for another day.... ;)
