Thumper's Rule

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Lately, I'm so disappointed in FaceBook statuses. I agree, it's been a long, cold, snowy winter in just about every state in these United States and we're all experiencing a bad case of cabin fever by now. We've watched our share of old movies from our dvd libraries and the next NetFlix mailing isn't coming in fast enough to keep up with all the snow days. Our favorite spot in front of the fire isn't as appealing or as soothing as it was in January and our bottoms are spreading out from all the hot chocolate we've consumed. But seriously folks, what's with all the whining?

Is it that misery loves company so when we see one of our friends whining about the cold, the snow, the irritating habits of our spouses or our kids that we feel we must out-do each other and one-up the whine on our own FB status? Trust me, there are days I've said a hardy "AMEN" to many of my FB friends' status reports. I've even felt the need to air my gloomy moods in hopes to make myself feel better but when I typed in my complaint, it only made me feel worse. Besides, I thought, "Who cares?"

Rather than add to the long list of whiney drivel on my Home Page, I've challenged myself to add some sunshine or stick to Thumper's Rule: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all," (Disney's Bambi).

Please, don't get me wrong. I find FB a wonderful tool to ask for help or prayer for a legitimate concern. What better way to encourage a long distance friend or to see God's hand at work through a tough situation?

As Christians, we're called to lift each other up and encourage one another in our faith with acts of love and through encouraging words. Let's challenge one another to use our FB status' to do just that.