Nasty!

The Women’s March on Washington was Saturday, and in case you were in a coma, or hiding under a rock somewhere, you are aware of its celebration of Nasty Women.

From all of the reporting I’ve seen about this march, it wasn’t really a march for women’s rights so much as it was a march for support of government funded contraceptives and abortion and to disparage our new President.

But the thing that really caught my eye (and ear) was the celebratory embracing of the term “Nasty” in regard to women. Nasty is now a good thing.

I always thought that nasty was something to be avoided. However, when I saw social media posts by older sisters, aunts, and mothers delighting in the nastiness of younger women (even pre-teens) because they participated in the march, I had to pause.

Hmmm, what are we celebrating? What are we encouraging? What are we hailing as the character trait, adornment even, which is to be worn with pride? Nastiness?

What is nasty? I know what nasty used to be:

Disgusting to see, smell, or touch; filthy; foul. Morally offensive; indecent. Malicious; spiteful; mean. Causing discomfort or trouble; unpleasant; annoying. Painful and dangerous; grave. Has it changed? Did we see something different on Saturday?

What is the purpose of calling women to Nastiness? Did Saturday’s nastiness accomplish anything worthwhile? I will step out and say, no: Saturday accomplished nothing of lasting value; nothing will change because of Saturday.

Well, there was publicity! Some women experienced their first fifteen minutes of fame — and for others, perhaps their final fifteen minutes.  For some, their Nastiness was too nasty, undecipherable, or misunderstood and they had to make explanations on Sunday — but then, any publicity is better than none, right?

Was it really necessary to pepper their speeches with words that would make a sailor blush (my apologies to the USN), or wear hats and carry signs that just a few years ago would have been banned from TV.

Yes, I understand the President said some things that are terribly offensive, and that were picked up by some in the political discourse as badges of honor, but honestly, ladies, do we lift the dialogue up by using his words?

When we refer to our bodies or ourselves with vile words how does that lift us up? Are we registering our disgust against people who do speak of us this way, or are we surrendering our self-respect and replacing it with commonness and vulgarity?

I’m afraid that the March on Saturday was nasty – nasty in the original definition of the word. It did not speak for, nor did it represent me. I can, and do, support women; however, I do not support the political agenda behind the Women’s March on Washington.

Many of you will think that any woman who doesn’t agree with the Women’s March – and all it entailed on Saturday – is selling out, that our heart is not to advance the role of women in the world. That is not true. And it doesn’t have to be true for you, either.

Anyone who knows me knows that pretty much my entire adult life has been dedicated to supporting women of all ages, races, nationalities, and religions.

I have cried with women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and yes, even their 70s who have mourned over past abortions and sought God’s forgiveness to remove their guilt and shame.

I have, and continue to support teen moms who choose to parent their children with my time, my love, and my finances as I have shared life with them. I have helped them set up their first apartments and have celebrated graduations, weddings and milestones with them.

I have walked through divorce, cancer, death, family heartache and family rejoicing with women who worship gods other than I do. I have prayed with them and for them. I have held their hands and wiped their tears.

However, because I do not support the murder of babies in the womb, the women marching in Washington accuse me of being afraid or intimidated by women. They accuse any woman who disagrees with them of being less caring. This is not true.

Ladies, we need to stop embracing nastiness and embrace godliness. We must remember that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, it is against evil powers in this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. This battle will not be won in the seats of government, it is a battle to the end of time .

The army we need, in order to fight this war, is not a platoon of “Nasty Women” – but women filled with the Holy Spirit! Women who are not wearing pink hats, but who have deliberately put on the armor of God.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:13-17 NIV

When we as women stand for truth God’s way, change will happen! When we put on nastiness, and sow seeds of anger, filth, and indecency that is what we will reap. The choice is ours.

We have a voice – and when we speak with love, peace, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control we will not have to make a retraction, or give an explanation, the next day.

Ladies, if we want to make a difference, how we present ourselves matters. What will you choose as your adornment — purity and reverence, with a gentle and quiet spirit  — or nastiness?

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