In the wake of writing...

I'm an introvert by nature.
I think I've said that in this space many times before.

As a matter of fact, that's why I started this blog.
One trait of introverts is that we shy away from public speaking but can actually be quite articulate.  We tend to feel our thoughts are best organized through writing, so when it comes to presentations, written is preferred to off-the-cuff speaking.

I often choose my written words as a way to stand up for what I believe in.  
Some people might call it justice.  
While I do sometimes consider myself fighting for justice I don't consider myself responsible for doling out justice.  
Maybe that doesn't make sense to you, but it totally does to me.  I think God calls us to stand up for morality, for His word, for those who can't stand up for themselves even.  Passing judgement or enacting our own justice, however, is not ok.

Just as I was trying to explain to one of my children yesterday, standing up for someone else, or even defending yourself, is not the same as retaliation.
Retaliation is a second wrong in response to a previous wrong.  Mama used to say, "two wrongs don't make a right." 

And, at 38 years old, there are still days I have to remind myself of this.

There is a fine line between standing up for what you believe in or standing up for yourself and crossing over into the "retaliation zone."  This is especially true in today's world of political correctness and not wanting to offend anyone.

Which is why I tend to freak out when I see one of these in my inbox:

The morning after posting my views on something controversial, this notification puts me on edge.  Sometimes views and "shares" are a good thing; sometimes they're not.

It doesn't mean I want to take back my words.
It does mean my introvert self hates conflict and wishes to avoid it.

Unfortunately, at this point in my life and in the world we live in, avoiding conflict is getting much more challenging.  

Thank God for grace! 

And to my introvert friends out there, practice being bold.  You can when you have to.
Trust me when I say it's not fun and very much out of your comfort zone, but sometimes those are the moments that stretch us and mold us into whom He fully intended us to be.  

And when it's over, we're still introverts, just a little sore from the emotional workout!