Have you noticed how judgmental everyone has become lately? The world is at war and the weapons are words. If you do something someone doesn't like you are a "racist". Race no longer matters as every race has been attacked. If you do something hurtful to children you are a "groomer". What a word means or if the word applies does not matter as long as it is hurtful. While people argue, picket, and scream profanities from the rooftops (literally), the real crimes against humanity continue unchecked. The question, "why?" is played out in everyday life where the innocent suffer and evil walks free.
Yesterday, I spoke with a woman who has faced unrelenting adversity most of her 29 years of life. As a two time cancer survivor, victim of rape, and childhood abuse, she openly and unashamedly shared her story of pain and suffering that she has turned into a story written in ink on her skin. I did not know when I called my bank I would meet Mary Scott. She was so helpful, sincere, and gracious. I complimented her customer service and she said it was nice to hear a kind word after hearing so much criticism from customers. Mary shared with me her struggles in life and how she had refused to be called a victim, "I hate that word!" and transferred herself into a walking poster of encouragement. She identified herself as, "colorful, wild, and easy to spot." She said she has tattoos all over her body that tell her story of transformation, "I covered the scars from years of cutting. I almost bled to death." She has tattooed, "Stay Strong and a ; (semi-colon), which means my story is not over." She said on another place on her body she has written, "You never know how strong you are, until being strong is all you have." Mary's story is sadly so common with the younger generation who are taking their lives, harming themselves, and covering their pain with drugs and alcohol. Mary said she hopes people will see her and ask her what her story is, "I always wanted to be a public speaker." Mary, I hope you do become a voice in the darkness that encourages others to stop being victims and instead become over-comers.
The apostle Paul says we are to, "Do everything without grumbling."
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
15 so that you may become blameless and pure,
“children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.
And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:12-16