One of the most iconic movie lines that was birthed from the classic and beloved movie, Steel Magnolias, was uttered by the ultra talented, Olympia Dukakis. Her forged and over saturated southern drawl made every one of her lines more dramatic and memorable.
While this could be debated for many hours, I stand by my convictions with this one. This was my favorite. Pure southern bell entertainment. These Steel Magnolia ladies could talk smack with the best of them.
Every time I watch Claire Belcher smile and look directly into Truvy Jones eyes and said, “As somebody always said…if can’t say anything nice about anybody come sit by me” it makes me smile. Of course it isn’t very nice, but funny, yes it is.
While most of the time you will find me as annoyingly positive as I can be, sometimes I do have bad days and succumb to negativity when it is presented to me. More times that not, I recognize it pretty quickly and start repenting under my breath while repeating some of my favorite scriptures that remind me I am a child of God and not a child of the streets.
This past week though, it has been a tough one. Stress from every angle you can imagine. Long hours of work, volunteer time, single parenting, volleyball travel, getting acquainted with our rescue kitty, writing, trying to keep a clean house and halfway decent yard. It just all came crashing down. I was open and available for all negativity and talking smack that came my way.
I felt like Claire Belcher patting the couch while saying, “Come sit by me…..”
I gladly participated in gossip and all things that weigh heavy on a soul. And that is just what it did. By the end of the week I felt very heavy and really down on myself. Words really cannot describe how negativity affects you. You just feel it to your core, or at least I did.
After repenting and asking God to forgive me I truly had to forgive myself. I know God uses me in mighty ways for his Kingdom and has blessed me so much. What can I gain from being negative and talking smack about people? Nothing. It really doesn’t hurt the other person as much as it damages your soul. I am grateful that God takes into account my lack of perfection when he mapped out my life. If it weren’t for the grace of God and forgiveness, I would be in a deep, sorrowful pit of despair.
God is kind, compassionate and good to forgive us when we ask. He is good at ignoring our smack talk and using us for his glory.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those that listen. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32
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