R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I have a great appreciation for the generosity of other authors and equally want to share with you. However, I ask that you respect that all all images, text, and any other content posted on this blog belongs to Christina Hirst, unless otherwise stated. You are welcome to link back to this blog or use a single image and description, so long as you link back to its original source. You may NOT republish posts without my permission. Also, please do not link directly to a pdf, but to the original post. I, in turn, agree to do the same. :)

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Why Mean Girls Don't Matter

Guilt knocked at the door when I didn't cry for my crying child.

Yes, the girl accused you of being rude and snotty.

Yes, you can be rude and snotty.

No, rude and snotty are not a part of your identity.

Yes, it will still hurt and confuse you when it happens.

Tonight in a supervised atmosphere my daughter admitted to hiding and crying after being hurt by someone that she encounters often.  Now I know that I've used the term mean girl, but I really don't believe there are that many mean girls out there.  For the most part, it is simply someone finding someone else that can bear the brunt of what they themselves don't feel they can bear.  This girl in particular has a large weight on her shoulders.  Middle child, a favored younger sister that she cares for, older brother that she has to listen to, even when his issues are ruling.  In the middle of moving homes.  Trying to figure out who she is.  There is a lot going on.

And Rosalinda IS strong.  She CAN handle a lot.  She was made to be HIS hero.  So it makes sense that the girl would find Rosalinda as someone that she can dump on to feel some relief in herself.  Saying the things that she can't get away with telling her family.

Am I saying that this girl doesn't matter?  No.  Am I saying that this girl's behavior doesn't matter?  No, Am I saying that Rosalinda is wrong to be affected by her?  Maybe.  Am I taking measures to have it addressed?  Very much so!  But it still doesn't matter.



It doesn't matter because we're not given allowance for it to matter as extensions of Christ.

It is so very interesting that during her practice, the very time that she was encountering this girl and enduring this situation, I had texted her Romans 12.16


Starting early on, Rosalinda became aware that she was responsible for herself.  I remember older woman being so guilt-stricken when they would give my three year old an innocent piece of candy or treat and she would get in trouble if it met her mouth.  I never discouraged her from receiving blessings, but she was old enough to know that she needed to seek permission before eating anything.
Same principle applies.  Even when something said or done finds a wound, you are still responsible for yourself.  You are still responsible to investigate why it hurt.  Whether there is an opportunity to grow in what they say.  But always being ready to adjust yourself in righteousness.

So it does not matter that she hurt your feelings.  You are still called to love and serve her in His love!



Friday, June 3, 2016

Oh Where, Oh Where Has This Little Blogger Gone?

Wow!  Approaching three years of silence!  What happened?

Well, a lot!

But more precisely, ,what happened to me as a blogger?  I ran for the hills!  I started having people reading my blog and freaked out!

So what has brought me back here after so long?  Have I overcome my fear of being read?

I'm not so sure.

However, Rosalinda brought me to a place of conviction today as I had a teacher of her,s admit that they found this blog and look at it to see what it takes to produce what he enjoyed teaching this year.  Mortified by something I tried to abandon come back to me, Rosalinda pointed out the possible affect that it could have for people.  Especially those not close to us and experiencing us on a more intimate level.  So this is me trying to placate the conviction.

So what have you missed?  We made a huge move from Texas to California with our ministry!  Rosalinda went back into public school after four wonderful years of homeschooling!  I went back to work, which was an interesting feat in itself.  And now I find myself, a working mom, in a new land, with a bonafide teenager!


So, now that you know that I'm alive and have peaked my head out from my hiding place...what do you want to know?