Hey fat boy! Is that you?

I don’t spend one second worried about what people think of me. (Ok… maybe ONE second, LOL!) As a matter of fact, neither should you. I hope that doesn’t make us arrogant!

I do have a close circle of friends and leaders who are open and honest with me. These are people that have earned my respect and I have earned theirs.

I receive so many messages from people who are seeking the approval from people who don’t really add any value to their life. If I had a dime for every time someone complained about gossip, hearsay, rumors or being passed over, I’d have enough money to treat all of you to the Cheesecake Factory. LOL!

Listen, I’m not saying we should ignore it. However, I am saying that we should learn how to deal with it and move on. It’s not always easy. But it does become easier when you know who you are.

I wrote this post last May. I’m repeating it in case you may need to read this. Perhaps even someone you may know. Read on…

Hey fat boy! Is that you?

I was wondering what all the fuss was about that was being stirred by the accusation of an affair by the husband from a popular show on TV. The show is a reality program about a couple raising a set of sextuplets along with their 2 big sisters who are twins. Eight kids!

I must admit that I only watched a few episodes, but I noticed something glaring at me from what I saw…

I watched how the husband, Jon didn’t always seem to articulate his feelings and his wife Kate would seem to not hold back when it came to her feelings. This is a recipe for trouble.

So it got me thinking. Hmmm?

I started to think about the power of words. I started to think about how “words” whether positive, negative or none at all, have shaped who we are today.

I remember the time when I was on a Christian TV program and the host of the show (who is an older man and a dear friend of mine) said, ” How’s my big boy Alvin doing tonight?”

Some people watching the program got bent out of shape. He was a different race than me. Some accused him of being racist. Others didn’t like him using the word “big.”

They didn’t know him like I did. The truth is there isn’t a racist bone in his body. Maybe he wasn’t politically correct by today’s standards. He and his wife has done more for me as well as people of all races than probably anyone I’ve ever known. And by the way… I AM big! (And a cutie!!!) LOL! Now, if YOU said that to me…… ROTFL!

Words can heal.

Words can destroy.

Words can be the breeding ground for empowering someone or lowering someone’s self esteem.

I became a Christian when I was 12 years old. Everyone in my class knew I was a church kid. Back in those days I didn’t dance or curse. I wouldn’t sing secular songs. (I would sneak and listen…. shhh, don’t tell).

You should see me now! I still don’t curse, but I can do the hustle and rock the electric slide. (alright, so what my dance steps are from the seventies!?! )

And at Karaoke time, I AM Mr. Luther Vandross, The Beatles and Earth, Wind and Fire… ok?!?

Anyway, all the kids in my class used to tease me as well as a sweet little red haired Jehovah’s Witness girl. They called us “church kids incorporated!” Oh how I hated that. I wanted to be cool and accepted by my peers in class.

In church, I had many friends and was cool because I sang in the choir and we shared the same beliefs. At school, I was a nerdy chubby (meaning fat ) boy whose mother bought my clothes in the “husky” (meaning fat) boys department.

Although I had supportive and loving parents, I struggled with low self esteem for many, many years.

However, I don’t anymore.

The reason I don’t is because I have taken many risks in life. Someone once told me that without some risk, there is no reward. I’ve won some battles and I’ve lost some. But since I’ve had good success by the grace of God, it gave me greater confidence through the process.

Sure my feelings can be hurt, but I always rebound back… and quickly. How?

One main reason is that I know who I am. I’m not here to make people like me. I want people to like me, but that is never, ever a main goal for me. I’m here to love God and love people. Period.

By knowing who I am, I can now bring more value to those in my sphere of influence today. Instead of me being needy, whether spiritually, emotionally or financially, I can hold my head high and be supportive of my loved ones’ hopes, dreams and goals.

You are a friend of God and He knows your name. But if YOU don’t know who YOU are, you end up wandering aimlessly through life. You will try to find your identity through your friends, your job, your church, your pastor, your spouse, your kids, celebrities and even your enemies.

This is not about being cocky. This is about being confident that you are God’s child and an heir to His promises. Jesus said “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Period. So since I have the Holy Spirit, I am powerful. TO LIVE IS CHRIST. TO DIE IS GAIN. I will overcome the trials and disappointments that will always come in my life. You will too.

For many of us, our opinions of our world and ourselves are shaped by the words of other people.

But I’ve lived long enough to know that until you use your words to empower and bless yourself as well as others, you will never ever experience the beauty of a fulfilled and joy filled life.

So please, watch what you say to others… as well as to yourself.

Kind words can restore a relationship

Courageous words can get you want you want in life
(there is always risk, but no guts, no glory)

I’m sorry

I love you

I’m hungry (gotta love that word!)

Hallelujah

Please

Thank you

Jesus said…

Why?

Yes

No

So my words for you today are:

You are the beloved of God.

We are all a work in progress, but God says you are still fearfully and wonderfully made. If you disagree with that, then you are prideful. Who are you to disagree with who God says you are?

You shall receive power. Those are Jesus’ words to you and to me. And because He said it, they are now my words. Make them your words too.

May the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

More articles like this...

• Gossip, Backstabbing and… Leading Worship? (0)

Tagged as: gossip, how words affect people, Jon and Kate, seeking approval, what people think