Today something happened that I’d like to blog about. Partially for my own therapy, partially for your input. While getting a pedicure at my lil hole-in-the-wall salon, a big-mouth (maybe drunk) walked in and sat down across from me in a pedi-spot. At this lil salon, there’s this sweet Asian couple who work tirelessly, 7 days a week–and I’ve gotten to know them. They speak broken, if any, English. And they have a sweet 6-year old son, who’s often there while mommy and daddy work. While the mom was servicing me, the Dad and his son were cleaning an empty pedi-chair next to me and big-mouth. That’s when big-mouth started a rant about how kids don’t respect adults these days. Then, what took place next, I’ll never forget: Big-mouth turned to the lil boy, and in front of his laboring mom and dad, the other clients and me, yelled, “What’s your name? Hey, look at me when I’m speaking to you. Hey, I’m talking to you, you gonna answer me? Oh, you’re gonna be a lil smartass, are ya?” …
“Smartass?” Did she just say that? Is this really happening? Instantly, the boy hung his head and started to tremble. His mom froze. His dad awkwardly laughed. I mean, what could they do? SHE was the client. Were they to serve the client? Or parent their child? And how do you navigate either when you barely speak English? Nobody said a word. I prayed. And then when she called him “Smartass” yet again, I spoke up, “Ma’am, please don’t talk to him like that.” “Hey Smartass….I’m talking to you!” I repeated, “Hey, please stop talking to him like that.” She didn’t acknowledge me. Nor did she come across the room and punch me in the face. But she did stop. In this moment, when urgency only lent itself to a quick arrow-prayer and a gut instinct to “to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,” I did something. I pray for this lil boy–that he doesn’t have a sticky memory of this mean lady. Sometimes, protecting others comes at a risk. And sometimes, we gotta be willing to take it. Curious what you would have done in my shoes…uh….pedi flip-flops?
Oh, Heather! I’m so glad it was you there and not me because although I would have prayed too, I’m sure that “lady” would have heard a lot more from me.
Respect cannot be demanded, it has to be given freely to those who deserve it. And we as adults must lead by example respecting others regardless of their age, ethnicity, sex, or believes.
I’m terrified of adults giving this type of example to our children. I pray to God that this poor little kid only remembers there was a strange sweet soul brave enough to stop this abuse.
God bless you for speaking up for him.
Oh, Heather! I’m so glad it was you there and not me because although I would have prayed too, I’m sure that “lady” would have heard a lot more from me.
Respect cannot be demanded, it has to be given freely to those who deserve it. And we as adults must lead by example respecting others regardless of their age, ethnicity, sex, or believes.
I’m terrified of adults giving this type of example to our children. I pray to God that this poor little kid only remembers there was a strange sweet soul brave enough to stop this abuse.
God bless you for speaking up for him.
See….THIS is why we don’t hang out more often. Because had I been there, you would have seen this lioness arise in a NOT SO VIRTUOUS WAY. Just sayin’
RAAAAWWWWWWRRRR …for real!!!
See….THIS is why we don’t hang out more often. Because had I been there, you would have seen this lioness arise in a NOT SO VIRTUOUS WAY. Just sayin’
RAAAAWWWWWWRRRR …for real!!!
Wow…so glad you were there to speak up for those who didn’t have the tools to. And you did it kindly, which is probably the more difficult part of the problem. Thanks for sharing!
Wow…so glad you were there to speak up for those who didn’t have the tools to. And you did it kindly, which is probably the more difficult part of the problem. Thanks for sharing!
It’s sad that people act that way with anyone let alone a child. You did the right thing and at this day and age you never know what you are walking into. That total stranger could have gone postal as they say. The love of god is much stronger then the fear of the unknown sometime. You were truely an angel in this situation.
It’s sad that people act that way with anyone let alone a child. You did the right thing and at this day and age you never know what you are walking into. That total stranger could have gone postal as they say. The love of god is much stronger then the fear of the unknown sometime. You were truely an angel in this situation.
I hope the little boys memory is not of the meanness of that woman but of you sticking up for him. Never ceases to amaze me how people are willing to treat each other sometimes. Good for you for standing up to her.
I hope the little boys memory is not of the meanness of that woman but of you sticking up for him. Never ceases to amaze me how people are willing to treat each other sometimes. Good for you for standing up to her.
Bless you for speaking up! I pray I would have made the same choice. I bet God is going to continue to open up opportunities to minister to this family.
Bless you for speaking up! I pray I would have made the same choice. I bet God is going to continue to open up opportunities to minister to this family.
Good for you. Sometimes, especially when children are concerned, one must speak up or do something to make the child feel better. I always pray for the child if I see something like that happen and I can’t interject. God gives us the wisdom to know when to speak up and when not to. 😉
Good for you. Sometimes, especially when children are concerned, one must speak up or do something to make the child feel better. I always pray for the child if I see something like that happen and I can’t interject. God gives us the wisdom to know when to speak up and when not to. 😉
What’s ridiculous is that in some cultures, not looking adults in the eye shows respect. Thank you for sticking up for the little guy. If I were the parents, I would have asked the client to leave. I don’t need to take money from someone who would abuse my son. The Lord will provide! Bless you Heather!
What’s ridiculous is that in some cultures, not looking adults in the eye shows respect. Thank you for sticking up for the little guy. If I were the parents, I would have asked the client to leave. I don’t need to take money from someone who would abuse my son. The Lord will provide! Bless you Heather!
Oh, and by the way, I bet the little boy will remember this day. Not as a harsh one, but as one where a really nice lady stuck up for him. He will feel loved because of your actions! ♥
Oh, and by the way, I bet the little boy will remember this day. Not as a harsh one, but as one where a really nice lady stuck up for him. He will feel loved because of your actions! ♥
It is good that you stay in a spiritual place that allows you to make the right decisions when events like these arise. The thing that I find hard to do is to follow up with some witnessing. In this case say something encouraging to the boy. Try to build him up. He just took a pretty good shot. Bring him a gift on your next visit. I might have put invite cards on all of the cars in the parking lot to make sure the bully got one.
It is good that you stay in a spiritual place that allows you to make the right decisions when events like these arise. The thing that I find hard to do is to follow up with some witnessing. In this case say something encouraging to the boy. Try to build him up. He just took a pretty good shot. Bring him a gift on your next visit. I might have put invite cards on all of the cars in the parking lot to make sure the bully got one.
Oh WOW!! Heather this is so sad and I am so THRILLED to hear what you did… like Chaundel, I would HOPE I would do the same! Oh man… this just breaks my heart!!
Oh WOW!! Heather this is so sad and I am so THRILLED to hear what you did… like Chaundel, I would HOPE I would do the same! Oh man… this just breaks my heart!!
I am SO GRATEFUL you were there at that moment to speak up for that little boy and his parents. This raises a righteous anger in me for what he experienced today & I do join you in praying that he either forgets that moment or can place it in a box as a memento of displaced anger or whatever nonsense spurned her attack. Anyway I love that you spoke up & I love of course that that lioness in you poignantly roared!
I am SO GRATEFUL you were there at that moment to speak up for that little boy and his parents. This raises a righteous anger in me for what he experienced today & I do join you in praying that he either forgets that moment or can place it in a box as a memento of displaced anger or whatever nonsense spurned her attack. Anyway I love that you spoke up & I love of course that that lioness in you poignantly roared!
Heather, I think you did the exact right thing! I pray that I would be brave enough to do what you did! I will be praying for this little boy and his parents. That they had to endure this is gut wrenching! I also pray for that woman. That she might come to see that she did not act very nicely at all and that maybe, given the opportunity, that God could heal her from her anger that she incorrectly unleashed upon this family in this attack!
Heather, I think you did the exact right thing! I pray that I would be brave enough to do what you did! I will be praying for this little boy and his parents. That they had to endure this is gut wrenching! I also pray for that woman. That she might come to see that she did not act very nicely at all and that maybe, given the opportunity, that God could heal her from her anger that she incorrectly unleashed upon this family in this attack!
A couple Ssndays ago my man preached a sermon in a series call ‘Who do you think you are?’. He shared a similar story in which he broke up a fight by simply yelling ‘STOP’!
Why did he do that? Because ‘When you know who you are you know what to do’
When we are in Christ we are compelled by the Holy Spirit to get involved. Thank you for telling this story!
Ooohhh… I like that! “when you know Who you are, you know what to do!” Tweeting!
A couple Ssndays ago my man preached a sermon in a series call ‘Who do you think you are?’. He shared a similar story in which he broke up a fight by simply yelling ‘STOP’!
Why did he do that? Because ‘When you know who you are you know what to do’
When we are in Christ we are compelled by the Holy Spirit to get involved. Thank you for telling this story!
Ooohhh… I like that! “when you know Who you are, you know what to do!” Tweeting!
Awesome handling of the situation, can’t say I would’ve been so dignified, injustices really “spark a fire” in me…especially in regard to children, the elderly, animals and anyone with a muzzled voice. I think I might have added a debrief convo (or your favorite…a hug…lol) with the little guy… He may not have understood, but just as he took in that harsh tone, I’d hope he’d take in some kindness & I’m sure that is exactly what he took from you so virtuously standing up for him. Every time he sees you walk in, he will remember that “a kind word turns away wrath” lucky guy got to see what the spirit of Christ looks like in the flesh 🙂 you really are wondHerful !!!
Awesome handling of the situation, can’t say I would’ve been so dignified, injustices really “spark a fire” in me…especially in regard to children, the elderly, animals and anyone with a muzzled voice. I think I might have added a debrief convo (or your favorite…a hug…lol) with the little guy… He may not have understood, but just as he took in that harsh tone, I’d hope he’d take in some kindness & I’m sure that is exactly what he took from you so virtuously standing up for him. Every time he sees you walk in, he will remember that “a kind word turns away wrath” lucky guy got to see what the spirit of Christ looks like in the flesh 🙂 you really are wondHerful !!!
Just prayed for him and had an additional thought…I’d bet that if he knows or when he comes to know…Christ, that little boy will pray for that big mouthed lady and have compassion for her because she is obviously in a bad place herself…and he will realize that her mean ways were not about him at all, but about what she carries and what she is musing inside…off to pray for her too. Thanks for sharing this Heather!
Just prayed for him and had an additional thought…I’d bet that if he knows or when he comes to know…Christ, that little boy will pray for that big mouthed lady and have compassion for her because she is obviously in a bad place herself…and he will realize that her mean ways were not about him at all, but about what she carries and what she is musing inside…off to pray for her too. Thanks for sharing this Heather!
You had way more control than I would have. Of course we can all sit here and say what we would have done, but none of us truly know unless we were there. However, having said that … I have Ben confronted with situations similar and I know how passionate I am to stand up to jerks like that … Good? Maybe not … But someone had to stand up for that family. Good for you. You did something and that’s more than most people. Some of us would have kept going LOL but the point is to at least take a stand. Nobody is gonna change that person with words, but putting a stop to her nasty ways may change that family. Ya never know.
You had way more control than I would have. Of course we can all sit here and say what we would have done, but none of us truly know unless we were there. However, having said that … I have Ben confronted with situations similar and I know how passionate I am to stand up to jerks like that … Good? Maybe not … But someone had to stand up for that family. Good for you. You did something and that’s more than most people. Some of us would have kept going LOL but the point is to at least take a stand. Nobody is gonna change that person with words, but putting a stop to her nasty ways may change that family. Ya never know.
Go Girl! Show the world the light of Jesus in you and others will be drawn to it. Hopefully this person that you speak of went home asked for forgiveness and will see that she needs to change. Maybe, just maybe she will go back and apologize to the shop owners and their son. I will be waiting for that blog!
Go Girl! Show the world the light of Jesus in you and others will be drawn to it. Hopefully this person that you speak of went home asked for forgiveness and will see that she needs to change. Maybe, just maybe she will go back and apologize to the shop owners and their son. I will be waiting for that blog!
Good for you Heather! His poor parents probably needed her pedi money and were scared to say anything. Poor little guy!
Good for you Heather! His poor parents probably needed her pedi money and were scared to say anything. Poor little guy!
You totally did the right thing!!
You totally did the right thing!!
Thanks for taking the time to drive by, read this and weigh in. I learned a lot in that moment. Thanks for sharing it with me.
Thanks for taking the time to drive by, read this and weigh in. I learned a lot in that moment. Thanks for sharing it with me.
In a world where people are so focused on minding their own business, they often forget about doing what is right. We are called to stand up for those who cannot or won’t stand up for themselves. People also need the example of being taught how to do so.
In a world where people are so focused on minding their own business, they often forget about doing what is right. We are called to stand up for those who cannot or won’t stand up for themselves. People also need the example of being taught how to do so.
Good for you Heather, I too would have done the same thing.
Good for you Heather, I too would have done the same thing.