Jesus,
It never fails! Last night we had a
School Dance, and today the halls and classrooms of our
school echo with the DREADED DISEASE CALLED GOSSIP!
Stories and rumours are carelessly being passed around
from clique to clique!
SOMETIMES THEY ARE EVEN ABOUT ME!
What gets me, is that usually no-one really knows if the
stories are even true! People get their information from
assumptions, mistruths, lies, and just plain GOSSIP! Two
people are seen together and everyone immediately assumes
that all kinds of bad things went on! SOMETIMES THE
STORIES ARE ABOUT TWO PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW EACH
OTHER!
Jesus, whether the stories and
rumors are true or not, people are getting so hurt. I've seen
so many of my friends in tears over GOSSIP! I've seen so
many reputations that became ruined for years because of
ugly stories being spread about them!
Jesus, today I ask that You help me to
be more aware of how much words can hurt others! Please
help me to pause awhile when I, myself, have an urge to
spread GOSSIP. Help me to challenge myself with the
following questions:
ARE MY WORDS HELPING OR HURTING PEOPLE???
...ARE MY WORDS BUILDING UP SOMEONE'S SELF
ESTEEM, OR TEARING IT DOWN???
...AM I GOSSIPING ABOUT
PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING INSIDE, OR WHO ARE DESPERATELY
LONELY AND LONG FOR LOVE, ACCEPTANCE AND COMPASSION???
Jesus, last night's dance was
absolutely wonderful! Please help me not to ruin a
beautiful memory by spreading ugly gossip! Let me begin
today to use words only in a spirit of LOVE AND PEACE!
AMEN
