It’s Just A Little Gossip

Watch your thoughts: They become your words.
Watch your words: They become your actions.
Watch your actions: They become your habits.
Watch your habits: They become your character.
Watch your character: It becomes your destiny.

-Frank Outlaw

Last week, I had the privilege of reviewing a copy of the book “It’s Just a Little Gossip…Letters of a Broken Friendship” written by one of my co-authors at Fancy Little Things, Rebecca Barth, and another friend, Sarah Harmony-Powell.

From the back of the book: “Can two women torn apart by gossip choose restoration over resentment or peace over pride? Eavesdrop on the true story in Rebecca’s and Sarah’s diaries as they discover that only God could reunite their friendship. But will He?”

Rebecca overheard Sarah gossiping about her thanks to a baby monitor malfunction, and it almost cost them their friendship. I can’t imagine moving on if I heard someone who I thought was my best friend talking about me like that. This event ate at them for years, causing them to grow apart, ignore each other completely, but still ask God why. Why did this happen? Why were there seemingly two right sides of the story? How was God going to change their hearts toward each other?

This book is set up as a devotional study, and though I am not entirely finished with all of the devotionals, I think it is a HUGE asset to the book. Being able to apply the Word to a very common situation was huge for me. I gossip. We all do. It’s a female trait in my opinion. But WHY do we do it? Why do we tear each other down when we should be building each other up? Because we are sinners.

God calls us in Luke chapter 6 to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is the toughest commandment that He has for us, because quite frankly, it seems impossible in certain situations. Why should we be nice to those who are mean to us? Because we are called to obey His commandments. Even if it isn’t fun.

What really struck me in this book was when they talked about how Sarah felt God pushing her to call Rebecca, but she was ignoring Him. At the same time, God was placing it on Rebecca’s heart to call Sarah. Since Sarah wasn’t doing what the Lord wanted, He worked it out another way. How amazing is He!

Sarah and Rebecca (with the help of God) were able to mend their friendship- and get this- they co-founded She Shares Ministries together! Their site is all about encouraging and empowering women. Helping women to choose grace over gossip.  It is a wonderful site full of encouragement- a must read. You can also find details on how to get your own copy of their book. It has been an eye opener for me!

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