Wardrobe Malfunction in a DeLorean
Wardrobe Malfunction in a DeLorean September 1, 2010 at 3:30pm
It’s amazing to me to the effect words can have over our lives. I was sitting in a staff meeting this week when we were reminded that tone matters just as much as word choice does, and oh, how immensely true that is. And yet, there are PLENTY of times when neither word choice or tone can change the fact that you probably shouldn’t have said anything at all. Think about those moments where you wish you could literally jump in a DeLorean, go back in time, and cram your foot in your flapping mouth before you said something that caused irrevocable pain/awkwardness/anger. Where’s Michael J. Fox and Doc when you need them?? Perhaps why this is so fresh on my mind today is because I’m beginning to grow weary of the things people speak over my life these days. Have you ever tucked your shirt into your underwear without realizing it until someone takes pity and informs you of your faux pas? You were blissfully unaware of your tucking miscalculation and carrying along with your day, then BAM! Instant mortification. Immediately, you’re retracing your steps back to the moment you last clothed yourself and thinking about everyone you’ve seen that surely noticed your wardrobe malfunction and yet kept quiet because they didn’t want to embarrass you (as if that’s worse than actually walking around with your polka dot drawers hanging out for all to see). That’s how I feel when I’m asked about my marital status. Now, I realize most people don’t mean to come across condescending and they’re genuinely curious as to whether or not I’ve found my Prince Charming since they last saw me, BUT... it’s not quite as harmless as one may think. I’m 26 years old, which in the vast majority of the world is considered young, but in the South is dangerously close to Spinster status. It’s as if once you pass 25 you inherit a cat for every year you go unmarried until you become the proverbial “Cat Lady”. Guess what, though? I’m content to wait for God to bring me the man He specifically made for me, and most days I won’t even think about my age or which box I check on registration cards, that is until someone asks “When are you going to settle down?” or “Why aren’t you married?” or (my favorite) “Have you tried eHarmony?”, then all of a sudden I'm left feeling as though I've somehow missed the mark entirely. YES, I would love to be married! YES, I long to meet the man that complements me in every way imaginable and even beyond what my human mind could imagine! And NO, I don’t want to meet your random coworker that you think has pretty eyes and could possibly be a Christian. God has a plan for my life that is more and better than anything I could dream up, and trust me, I can dream pretty big. I refuse to settle on a fixer-upper when God has a Prince waiting for me in the future. I’m the daughter of the King of Kings, and ladies - you are too! That makes you a princess, will you settle for a pauper simply because you want to get your emotional fix? Or because you want to be held and told you’re beautiful? Listen to me, only God can fit that void that you’re trying desperately to fill with mismatched pieces of boys that claim to be men. And if that offends you, then you probably need to hear it. As for me, I will WAIT UPON THE LORD! So please, be careful with your words. You never know what wound you could be pouring salt into. Maybe that person has a God-given reason to be doing what you’re thoughtlessly critiquing. Don’t be so concerned with someone’s socioeconomic status, instead close your mouth and pray that God uses you to bless their lives by showing them His love instead of pointing out what you perceive to be a flaw. Remember, DeLoreans are in short supply these days.
It’s amazing to me to the effect words can have over our lives. I was sitting in a staff meeting this week when we were reminded that tone matters just as much as word choice does, and oh, how immensely true that is. And yet, there are PLENTY of times when neither word choice or tone can change the fact that you probably shouldn’t have said anything at all. Think about those moments where you wish you could literally jump in a DeLorean, go back in time, and cram your foot in your flapping mouth before you said something that caused irrevocable pain/awkwardness/anger. Where’s Michael J. Fox and Doc when you need them?? Perhaps why this is so fresh on my mind today is because I’m beginning to grow weary of the things people speak over my life these days. Have you ever tucked your shirt into your underwear without realizing it until someone takes pity and informs you of your faux pas? You were blissfully unaware of your tucking miscalculation and carrying along with your day, then BAM! Instant mortification. Immediately, you’re retracing your steps back to the moment you last clothed yourself and thinking about everyone you’ve seen that surely noticed your wardrobe malfunction and yet kept quiet because they didn’t want to embarrass you (as if that’s worse than actually walking around with your polka dot drawers hanging out for all to see). That’s how I feel when I’m asked about my marital status. Now, I realize most people don’t mean to come across condescending and they’re genuinely curious as to whether or not I’ve found my Prince Charming since they last saw me, BUT... it’s not quite as harmless as one may think. I’m 26 years old, which in the vast majority of the world is considered young, but in the South is dangerously close to Spinster status. It’s as if once you pass 25 you inherit a cat for every year you go unmarried until you become the proverbial “Cat Lady”. Guess what, though? I’m content to wait for God to bring me the man He specifically made for me, and most days I won’t even think about my age or which box I check on registration cards, that is until someone asks “When are you going to settle down?” or “Why aren’t you married?” or (my favorite) “Have you tried eHarmony?”, then all of a sudden I'm left feeling as though I've somehow missed the mark entirely. YES, I would love to be married! YES, I long to meet the man that complements me in every way imaginable and even beyond what my human mind could imagine! And NO, I don’t want to meet your random coworker that you think has pretty eyes and could possibly be a Christian. God has a plan for my life that is more and better than anything I could dream up, and trust me, I can dream pretty big. I refuse to settle on a fixer-upper when God has a Prince waiting for me in the future. I’m the daughter of the King of Kings, and ladies - you are too! That makes you a princess, will you settle for a pauper simply because you want to get your emotional fix? Or because you want to be held and told you’re beautiful? Listen to me, only God can fit that void that you’re trying desperately to fill with mismatched pieces of boys that claim to be men. And if that offends you, then you probably need to hear it. As for me, I will WAIT UPON THE LORD! So please, be careful with your words. You never know what wound you could be pouring salt into. Maybe that person has a God-given reason to be doing what you’re thoughtlessly critiquing. Don’t be so concerned with someone’s socioeconomic status, instead close your mouth and pray that God uses you to bless their lives by showing them His love instead of pointing out what you perceive to be a flaw. Remember, DeLoreans are in short supply these days.
