Christen's Blog

I know that the old adage says “sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But let’s be honest, words actually do hurt, and people are hyper sensitive to a misuse of language, tone, and vocabulary. One can say “oh, I was just being sarcastic.” Or “they know I’m kidding, we’re just messing around.” However, I have observed and experienced that sardonic verbiage is painful and disrespectful. It is detrimental to the health of a relationship.

Word choice displays the level of respect you have for someone. One can argue that playful teasing and sarcasm has its place, however, I think it can covertly and overtly put people down.  I have been pretty quiet lately, sort of introverted, which is very different for me. I am quiet because I do not want to use idle words. I want my words to build people up and if they are not purposed for good then I do not want to say anything. Really. I have recently been hurt by sarcasm and have an increased detection to its presence. While we’re on the subject of idle and hurtful words, lets add gossip in there, because this too has been on my radar. In being surrounded by this type of talk, I am reminded of much I actually hate sarcasm and gossip, and also how often I speak it. I catch myself haphazardly insulting the people I love and respect because it’s “funny” to tell someone to “shut up” or relay the message that “no one cares,” but it was all a joke, so it’s okay. Except not.

I have a few acquaintances who are “surface” friends, friends who I do not share much with because I do not trust them. I do not trust them because I cannot discern whether they take me seriously or not. I will not be vulnerable with someone who will take my words or warp other words into some type of mockery. Friendships cannot flourish in this type of environment. I have a high level of respect for the friends and family in my inner circle and I want to treat them right and permit our relationships to grow healthily. 

This may not be everyone’s conviction, but I cannot be the only one who feels this way…

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“An anxious word weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I only really made one this year. My 2012 resolution is to read five fiction books. 

Dear world. I am starting book number five as soon as I finish this post.

Also, I am going to change my resolution to ten books. Five the first half of the year, five the second half. 

So far I have read…

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Now I am on to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which I have “read” halfishway through on audio book, but I am excited to curl up, right now, and flip through the pages. As you can probably tell, I am on a series kick. I plan to finish the other Harry Potter books after this one.

I like reading. I don’t know why I failed to read for pleasure during high school and college. I mean, I had so much time to spare…

Today I ran 5.5 miles in 55:53. This is the farthest distance I have run yet!

I have reached several other records this semester:

-Last week I ran 4.6 miles in 42:18 (I believe, and this is counting waiting at traffic lights and looking at the beach)

-2 miles: 15:25

-I forget my 3 miles, but I did it in under 24 minutes. 

And how can we forget? This semester has also marked the highest number of naps taken when I should have been doing homework.

-Today may have been a record, over two hours of editing robbed by sleep time.

I just spent several hours working on a paper, and being distracted. I pressed submit at exactly 12:00A, but I did not have the chance to read over my paper once. I am praying my paragraphs make sense and that my thoughts are cohesive. It is the worst feeling. What if I had a typo that has some curse word in it or something? Or a note to myself about what to write? Sigh.

I may revise the paper and send it to him again, perhaps he will grant me grace?

I’m sure someone has been in this same boat before…

Four more weeks, just four more weeks.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33