It was a long hot day of shopping and driving. I was exhausted and the only thing on my mind was food. We headed for the nearest restaurant. Out of nowhere, a beautiful lady appeared in line just behind us. She was so cute, tall and well bodied you couldn’t miss her.
But something stood out – she was barely clad!
Maybe my motherly instincts were kicking in, but I quickly went for admiration to pity. I wished she knew how beautiful she was to be so scantily dressed. My heart couldn’t bear it anymore. My hubby tried to talk me out of it. “I see you’re looking for some insults,” he cautioned.
But hey, we’re gals, aren’t we? I decided I was going to proceed anyway.
I patiently waited for my order and hers came through about the same time. As we approached the exit, I smiled and our conversation went this way…
‘Hi, how are you?” I said.
‘Great, thanks,’ with her so sweet smile and dimpled full cheeks.
‘I couldn’t resist telling you you’re pretty,’ I said.
With a blush, she said ‘thank you.’
“You know, you are so pretty that even a blind man would notice you and you seem like a very sweet person but your outfit will give a wrong impression about you. I believe that there are some people out there who would gladly want to make an acquaintance but would be skeptical about your person.”
I had her rapt attention. Oh Lord, I hope I don’t get punched in the face for not minding my business. My thoughts wandered. What’s the worst that can happen? She would probably hurl insults at me then I would learn to mind my business.
Guess what friend, the very opposite happened! She thanked me so much, and appreciated me for telling her the truth.
And then she walked away.
I sighed, relieved that I had spoken despite the odds. Relieved that this sister knows she is too pretty to be nude.
Relieved that she knows she is too loved to be a toy or a play thing.
I hate to rant but it sickens me when modern society binds our hands and feet and stuffs cloth in our mouths. We see evil and can’t speak about it, at least not boldly. We are too numbed to do anything.
Of course, I don’t expect you walk to every gal at the corner of the street or every badly behaved kid, but one person at a time may be all we get.
I didn’t go preachy this way I avoided being blown off.
Genuinely, many of us see something wrong in what is around us but we choose to stay quiet.
That day I had a choice.
When God nudges your heart about something, you have a choice to do it because it is the right thing or you may choose not to because you are afraid of what everyone else thinks of you.
Someone is going to pay for our choice of silence.
It could be you eventually or someone you love or someone you could have rescued.
For goodness sake, say something when things don’t seem right!
I encourage taking that courageous step save someone by speaking the truth in love. Here are a few steps you should consider before approaching that person.
- What are my genuine intentions? Negative criticisms consume us and we should be wary of giving them (Galatians 5:15 and Romans 13:10). Be positive in your approach.
- Pray for that person before you approach them. Ask the Holy Spirit for direction.
- Meet them one on one in love. ‘If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. Matthew 18:15
- Speak few words and listen to that person. It may surprise you to know that things are not the way they seem.
- Be compassionate in your responses. A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
- Whatever the outcome, thank them for granting you an audience.
Have you had a similar experience? Has something been eating you up and you have never had the right motivation to say something?
