Keep It Classy, Please!

I don't often get on my soapbox; particularly here. I'm stepping up for  a moment, allow me to say something that has been bubbling under the surface for a while. You need not agree with me, that's fine; I simply need to speak up on the subject of respect. Respect for self, respect for others, apparently this concept is in short supply these days. What am I referring to? Language-- particularly profanity, I can no longer get through a single day without being bombarded by obscenities. I'm not referring here to an occasional outburst that occurs when one hits one's finger with a hammer, not at all. My observation is that words that used to be strictly forbidden now riddle our society. You cannot escape nasty word-assaults from everyday television shows, song lyrics, the news broadcasts, social media, signage, bumper stickers, gift items, T-shirts, fabric (yes, fabric!), tattoos and each and every surface that can be emblazoned with vulgarity. Of course, we're not exempt at public meetings and social gatherings either. So, I ask: why? Is it for shock value? Does the speaker feel that they're tougher, badder, commanding extra attention by blasting foul expletives? I daresay it may have been, at one time; but now I believe that it's so widespread, across all age groups, that it has lost its shock value today and become commonplace. Profanity-laced speech is now ordinary and mainstream; that's the extremely sad conclusion that I'm reaching here. When I was raised, I was done so to respect myself and, by doing so, was respecting others; it's that simple. No one should have to be made to feel uncomfortable because I don't have enough self-respect to hold my tongue. In a word, I was raised to understand that at the end of the day I have retained dignity through my words and actions and, by doing so, exhibited class. Can we bring class back?  Is what was once a polite, civil society as extinct as the dinosaur? I hope not, I pray it's not too late to make changes. I ran across this article that contains seventeen graceful Bible verses on this very subject.  Read through them, there are words here that comfort and give hope to anyone who feels like me and is ready to stand up against being disrespected by the society in which I live, I am emboldened by duty to this same society in which my grandchildren are being raised. I might be just one person with one, small voice but I plan to call out language, vulgar speech and will boycott marketers who disrespect me through obscenities. I am far from perfect, I know that. I fall short through sin every. single. day. I ask God for forgiveness and promise repentance. I try to do my best, to remain classy and live by His words, for myself and for the world. Is it too much to ask the same in return?

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips. -Psalm 141:3

Life is Good!