Out with the neggies

It's fun to hear men celebrating a fish caught, a home run hit. They tell the story in full color, with great animation. Each one has their own story to share, in turn, or sometimes without waiting. We roll our eyes at times, saying it's male boasting, but it is refreshingly honest. They commiserate about the one that got away, or glory together in the catch that was made, and are ever-ready to outdo the other, but all in good fun.

It's rare to see women entering into this kind of collaborative celebration. "The event I planned was amazing!! Everyone I invited came and brought a friend! - I tried the best recipe the other night, it's a real winner, in fact, I think I'd like to publish my own recipe book! - My children have been extraordinarily obedient lately. It is really coming together! - On hearing this kind of commentary, one would hear, or expect to hear, "WELL. She seems to think she's got it all together." In order to avoid giving off that seemingly prideful impression, or maybe out of a lack of other things to converse over, women seem to focus on the negative aspects of life, we feel others will have in common. The commiserating goes something like this: " My husband is the worst slug-a-bed....the other day he..." or " you won't believe what the kids pulled on me in the store the other day, " or, "wait til you hear MY m-in-law story!!" or "Isn't Walmart the worst place on earth...", " I haven't been to the gym in years. Just look at these thighs."
As believers, we are called to, Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn: not bemoan with those who bemoan. True, no one wants to be around Sally Perfect, but if one is unafraid to share a blessing or an accomplishment, eager to celebrate with another rather than fearing what people would think, we'd all have a bigger dose of contentment and gratitude, so needed in daily life.