Sunday, June 9, 2013

Crushed by words

You know, I try not to be too sensitive about the things people say.  Usually when a stranger says something rude or inappropriate, I may get irritated, but it's easy to let it go.  It's harder when a loved one does it.  Recently I was in a gathering and one person said to another, "close your mouth you look like someone missing a chromosome" I was utterly shocked and felt like someone stabbed me in the chest.  Anger was not even a response.  I was crushed, the pain that struck me was close to unbearable. I had a little cry and pulled myself together.  I tear up now as I think of it again.  On my drive home, the words just kept bombarding me over and over in my head...I felt so totally crushed. That's the only way I can think of to describe it.  I'm not angry....just crushed.  I cried for more than half the drive home, holding back that sobbing cry...bc well, I was driving.  The sting of it is less, and I've spoken of it without tears, time to pray away the pain and be washed with the healing salve of Jesus.  And maybe cry about it for the last time.

1 comment:

  1. Wow. Just WOW.
    I don't know how I would have reacted, but I'm not sure I could have kept my tears back until I was driving home. Or held my tongue.
    I struggle when I hear the word "retarded", which happens A LOT as a middle school teacher. What is sad that after I explained to my kids the origin of the word and why it's offensive, so many of them made an effort to not say it, but I'd hear TEACHERS using it. Regularly. I always want to say something, but I'm still finding my way at a new school, so I haven't. Yet. I really want to say, "You say that like it's a bad thing." or simply, "Use a different word." But I don't.
    What in the world is wrong with people?!?! It's not about not saying things like that in front of me, it's about saying them at all. It's about the value (or lack thereof) that you place on my daughter's life. It's about respecting people...ALL people. I have completely cut ties with a couple of acquaintances who just couldn't get it, even after I explained (through tears) what that language does to me.
    I'm sorry you had to hear that, but I'm even more sorry that there's someone out there saying such things. I think you're right in giving it to God. Maybe He can help such cold-hearted people.

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