Empty, Unkempt Promises

Empty, Un-kept Promises

 

My life has been chock full of men who have done nothing but make empty promises (father, brother, cousin, friend, lover)…but my Great grandmother always taught me that a promise was a comfort to a fool. So, I guess I'm a fool…

AM I a fool, though? I'm a woman of my word; if I say I'm going to do something for you, come hell or high water, I'm going to do it. I also believe a person is only as good as their word…so if one keeps saying things that they DON'T do, then what does that say about the person?

 

Granted, circumstances may arise that prevent a promise from being kept: monetary issues, life issues, personal issues, etc…but my question is, when do you STOP giving the "benefit of the doubt", and start holding someone accountable for their actions?

 

I am very understanding, and simple to please. I understand "shit" happens…it happens to me, too. But why do people think that things that go unsaid, just disappear? There will always be that pink elephant in the room if things aren't addressed, and as my irritation and anger grows, so will the damn elephant. And the bigger it gets, the less room there is in the room…and someone has to leave. I can tell you with confidence that it WON'T be me.

 

Situations such as these make you question yourself. Am I worth not keeping promises to? While I'm sitting here performing the Golden Rule, is that all they're using me for? I am a giving person, especially to the ones I feel deserve it, but when that person has all these grandiose ideas that they're going to return the favor, and it doesn't happen…does that mean I'm unappreciated?

God placed in me this enormously giving heart, but I guess I've yet to learn when to pull on the reigns of it, to know when to slow down, to know when to stop before I get hurt.

 

But I think it's a sad time when you can't count on the word of the ones you love…after that, what's there to hold on to, hope? Hope is for suckers in fairytales…

NEVER ASSUME

NEVER ASSUME. You never know what anyone is going through, no matter how much they tell you. They could paint you a portrait, or write the most revealing words, but only the painter, speaker, and God know what's truly in their hearts. All you can do is what God tells you to do for that person; that can be time spent, an ear lent, a hug given, or just God's love.

So often we go through life, looking down on individuals for what they do, what they USED to do, what have or don't have, what they wear…but these superficial representations are given to real people, who breathe the same air as you, and have red blood running through their veins, too. Who are we to judge others? Granted, we may not associate ourselves with their activities (murderers, rapists, drug dealers, etc.), but just like I heard a poet say this weekend, "People only remember the endings, without even considering the beginnings."

So, the next time you decide to make fun of someone, or call someone a loser, remember that what people show is not always what is. I'm not saying be naïve, I'm just saying…DON'T ASSUME. Some people hide their true selves, afraid of the judgment and ridicule they may receive, which people tend to give out freely anyway w/o much prompt. What an egotistical species we are!

Historically, non-Whites were judged...and you know how THOSE stories go.

Or, let me put this into perspective: say you are struggling with a sin that you legitimately want to change about yourself. Although your actions display the sin, your heart is trying to fight its way through to turn your life around. The saying is "God knows your heart", which means, He knows your true intentions, and once you let Him in, He'll help you change it, right? But what if God DIDN'T know your heart, yet judged you simply based on your actions…you'd be in a pickle wouldn't you?

 

That's why only God can judge, because NONE of us have the power to see what He sees.

 

I'm, too, working on this. "When someone shows you they are believe them", true enough, but it's much more healthy to send prayers for that person out into the universe rather than negativity; only one helps. The words says, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".…let me see those rocks flying!

The last time I checked, the only perfect person was crucified. Never forget that.