I've been listening to the Little Women audiobook, and it is so precious to me. I can't even explain how much my soul is soaking up the purity and innocence and beauty and goodness in these stories, the way that virtuous character is honored and praised and pursued. I need more of that in my life -- more wholehearted devotion to God, more excellence and integrity, more inner strength of spirit, more clean laughter and joy, more genuine selflessness that matures and develops over time. ❤
I have felt disheartened by the downward spiral of our culture lately... that applies in a thousand different directions, but specifically, I'm disturbed by the lack of dignity and respect in the way women are viewed by men and the way women value themselves. The #MeToo campaign on social media has been interesting - the point is for women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted to post the "Me, too" status so that people will understand the widespread nature of the problem. However, many women are hesitating to post because they struggle to believe that what was said or done to them was bad enough to count, or because the person harassing them is in a position of authority that would threaten their career. And because of the rampant victim blaming and shaming that pervades our culture. It's just not okay.
October is "breast cancer awareness month," and without fail, people are quick to make idiotic jokes about their love of boobs rather than honor the women suffering from a terrible disease... sporting t-shirts with "Fight breast cancer and save man's real best friends," "Save a life and grope your wife," "Save the tatas," "Save the rack," "Don't let cancer steal second base," "Save the hooters, "Support the girls," and "I'm here for the boobs!" This is all particularly irksome to me, so for the record, the women wearing pink Survivor t-shirts who have undergone a double mastectomy should feel nothing but empowered and supported and loved and proud of their victory over cancer! Cancer was not a cutesy lil' joke to them, but a true fight for their life and something they pray to never face again. So for the love, do not wear something that might make them for one second feel sad or diminished or less than or righteously angry. (Forget the breasts; save the women!)
*soapbox speech over... whew*
While waiting at the dentist earlier, I read an article about the Harvey Weinstein scandal, and initially found myself surprised that these seemingly confident celebrity women would not have banded together and taken this guy down much sooner. Then I read about how he used his industry power to threaten and harm the careers of certain women who dared to reject or report him early on, and I understood it more. I know one female attorney who quit her job after being sexually harassed repeatedly by her boss. And it's a sad and pathetic thing when I can honestly say that I've heard more inappropriate comments, sexual innuendo, crude jokes, "locker room talk," etc. in my work life from those sworn to uphold the law than from the criminals charged with breaking it. Ugh. The need for men of Godly character and bold leadership and integrity is real. As is the need for women with self-respect, feminine modesty, and courage.
Seeing this post by Lysa TerKeurst was encouraging... I am not naive or arrogant enough to believe I can stop the downward spiral of our culture, but I can live with dignity and kindness, and I can command respect from the people I interact with day to day. Brittany Bolt was the best example of this I have seen, and I so admired her courage in speaking up for Christ and for herself when the situation called for it. "Excuse me, gentlemen, there's a lady present" when men around her were starting to tell crude jokes. Or "Witness check - where is our witness for Christ?" when the Christian friends she was hanging out with were drinking and getting ridiculous...
...yes, please!
An atmosphere of God's presence and goodness and courage and virtue and joy!!
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