I know I've mentioned before that I'm Catholic and, also, for those people who somehow miss this fact... Christian. (And conservative and pro-life and all that stuff too, but that's not so important right now.)
I am a Christian woman. My faith and my prayer life are deeply important to me. They are at the core of, well, who I am.
So it should come as no surprise that I love to visit and read the writing of other Christian women. I am so inspired by the passionate words of so many of you... your strong beliefs and devotion to Christ make my days richer.
But I don't like to comment.
I hesitate- again and again- to add my two cents even when I feel so very moved to do so. I want, so badly, to share what it has meant to me, to say that I thought your words were amazing. But I do not.
I do not because I'm realizing that I don't measure up when it comes to knowing how to "talk the talk."
I'm not super handy at quoting scripture on the fly and I don't have a lot of uplifting pulpit-worthy language in my repertoire. If I were to write, it would say something like this:
"Wow, this is powerful stuff. I think we all need to think about these things when we look at how we treat each other."
Or something like that. Simple, everyday language. I just don't know how to reference religious chapters and elements with the ease that some seem to demonstrate. When I try, it sounds forced. And false.
And so I feel like less. I feel like what I have to say won't sound as devout... as, well, Christian.
I don't know what to make of all that or even what I should do about it.
I certainly have tons of respect, and sometimes even envy, for these ladies who know how to "talk the talk". So, I guess the question is this...
Is it more important that I learn how to "talk the talk" or that I continue in that never-ending daily struggle of trying to "walk the walk"?
And, just know, that just because I may not be commenting... it doesn't mean you haven't stirred something in my heart.
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15 comments:
I think walking the walk is far more important than being able to talk the talk.
The "Christian" lingo is just that, even people without faith can learn it!!!! be yourself, comment with word that comes the way they come!!!! And never feel less of a Christian because of the "talk" God does know what is in your heart and that is what is important!
Thanks for sharing this, with us :-)
The explanation for your difficulty is that you are a Catholic. We Catholics don't go around prosletizying to anyone who will listen. We don't learn the Bible as intensely as some others do. Catholicism is more about taking care of yourself and your spiritual life. We are the original Christians, all the rest are "Protestant" churches, meaning they started in "protest" to the tenets of the Catholic faith. None of this makes us right and them wrong, it just means our religions focus on different things. Catholics have been taught for years to stay apart as we are the "One True Church". We never learned or felt the need to learn how to be evangelical, or to deeply explore our church. We come from the school of "do what we tell you and shut up."
If something someone writes moves you, why worry about how you say so? It's just not our heritage to discuss or debate our beliefs.
Way more important to walk the walk. Talk is cheap. Some can quote scriptures and sound so, well, theological. And then be so far from walking the walk it isn't funny. I'm with you. I thought what you said would be a comment was awesome! Those kinds of down to earth comments are my fav.
I SO could have written this myself. With the exception of being Catholic, you have voiced nearly verbatim my thoughts to myself on an almost daily basis when reading powerfully moving words.
While, I personally realize the magnitude of what I've read and how it impacts me, I usually cannot put proper words to those sentiments. So, instead, I delete what I've written in the comment box (or don't write anything at all).
I say, keep doing what you're doing. The only ONE whose opinion matters is the one who already knows how you feel anyway.
I think walking the walk BY FAR outweighs the talk. As they say "talk is cheap,"except those bloggers you refer to I believe to be sincere talkers and walkers of the talk and walk. So you should proudly comment: "Wow, this is powerful stuff. I think we all need to think about these things when we look at how we treat each other." I'm pretty sure they'd feel happy to know what they offered that day mattered to you.
ha ha I just read the comments and saw Tara said talk is cheap too.
I never knew you are Catholic. But I love it when you comment on my blog. Even if it's just to say hi and what you thought of that post. I always find it hard to comment too. Simply because I don't have the talent of speaking eloquently. I always feel so self-conscious of how I write but a comment always makes me feel better. I appreciate your comments so much!
Respond in your own words. Walk the walk that God has you to walk and speak with the words that He puts into your head. It is not words that show that you are a Christian, it is they way that you live your life. And, furthermore, being down to earth and non-scripture quoting has a way of making it easy to share, not only what is in your heart but your faith as well. Scripture is a wonderful, wonderful thing. However, it can easily be twisted and misused to suit a certain circumstance. Christ didn't say to quote scripture to prove that you are worthy in thought. He said to love one another. Uphold one another. Pray for one another. Share HIm in anyway that you can.
I completely understand what you mean. I'm not knowledgeable enough to talk the talk, though I do try to gain more insight. but I applaud you being able to speak about that as well! Just remember, as long as you know you are trying, that you are praying, that you are believing, you are a good person, and a good Christian!
Girl, you SHINE with the light of Christ. #thatisall ;)
I don't blog myself, so keep that in mind when you read my question: how important is it that others comment on your blog? I'm sure that's just as personal (or individual) than the person blogging. I frequently comment just because so many poeple have asked for comments, and I feel that I get so much from the blogs that I read that I should give back in some way. I'm obviously not great with words, or I would have a blog myself. :)
My typos drive me crazy. I meant to say it's as personal as the person blogging. :)
Talking the talk is way overrated. Just comment from the heart (if you are so inclined). I'm sure what you have to say is so appreciated, regardless of whether you use flowery spiritual language or not.
p.s. Now would be probably a good time to thank you for your visit to my blog this week--and especially for your comment. :-)
I am a Christian too. And I am not afraid to talk what my heart is feeling. So don't hesitate to talk what you are feeling for we are all created by God to interact with one another.
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