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Girl Meets God

    by Melissa Mathews

Throwing Away the Scoop
Date Posted: July 2, 2006

We stopped scooping poop at our house today.

Not dog poop. We (Scott or an unlucky son) still scoop the dog poop in the back yard. But we are hoping that the mouth poop will soon go un-scooped.

(Be warned today's imagery is gross and unladylike, but so is the poop scooping that I'm talking about.)

Do you remember the Junior High habit of dogging on other people? If you cut someone down with a mean comment, it seemed that you got a little bigger, and they got a little smaller.
"You're an idiot."
"Gosh you're lazy."
"Drop some weight."

Well, today the four Mathews Brothers started delving into the repulsive practice, and Mr. Mathews and I decided to stop the pile before it got too smelly:

"Guys, whenever you say something mean to your brother, you think it cuts them down and makes them look bad. But really, you're the one that stinks. You think you are scooping poop on your brother, but it falls off the shovel and lands on you instead. The uglier your words and the more you say, the deeper the pile of poop on top of your head."

Paul wrote the same thing, only in less offensive terms: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4: 29-32)

So, he doesn't quite say "the poop piles on top of you," but I think you get the point. Whether the person is standing in front of us, or we're trash talking behind their back, the scoop can't be so good that we want to be the ones stinking.

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

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Biography Information:
I'm a preacher's kid, pastor's wife, and southern belle who married a Southern California boy. Can you say 'culture clash?' Scott and I have four boys - Max, Mark, Jackson, and Grant who keep us busy with homework and sports.

Scott and I have been married 22 years and currently live in Northern California where we are beginning year five as church planters. I also teach 12th grade English and love it.

I would love to hear from you. Email me anytime at melissa.g.mathews@gmail.com