If you won't walk the walk, then shut the hell up.

I am a Christian.  I try to live my beliefs.  I fail, badly, a lot; however, this is why I don't openly and loudly proclaim my faith.

I have a temper.  I am not particularly kind.  I try to make up for that by being courteous and using my manners--something it seems many have forgotten how to do.

I also try to be the woman described in Proverbs 31 for my husband: supportive, industrious, and financially responsible.

Let's start with supportive: do y'all know how often I've seen women--friends, acquaintances, and strangers--verbally degrade and tear down their husbands/boyfriends?  And it's everything from appearance to habits to study habits to spending habits.  The flip side of that is nagging.

Instead, these women should be encouraging their husbands/boyfriends.  Instead of insulting their men, they should be telling them that they can succeed.  I'm not saying that they should tell their men that they're perfect the way they are, just that they should tell their men that they believe in them.

People tend to live up to--or down to--the expectations of those whose opinions they value.

On to industrious.  This one is where I try, but fail half the time.  I tend to get easily distracted from things I don't like to do...like housework.  Yes, with the FlyLady, I am doing somewhat better; however, my house is still a mess.  I hate putting dishes away...so the dishes don't get put away out of the dishwasher, and dirty ones tend to gather in the sink.  I hate sorting laundry and putting it away...so the clean laundry tends to stay in the hampers, and the dirty laundry piles up.

There's also a direct assertion that a good woman (according to Proverbs) is a prepper, which fits into industry.  I know I feel better if I have a full pantry.  I also know that most of the women I'm around casually--mostly on campus--make fun of preppers.  They're like the grasshopper in the fable.

Last, but not least: financial responsibility.  I do not like spending money.  The kids ask for toys?  The answer is "Save your allowance, and buy it yourself."  I don't waste money on entertainments often.  I don't waste money on theme restaurants, and won't waste money on my kids' birthday parties.  My laptop has been in my possession for two years, and I've replaced the keyboard and power cords as needed.  There's no reason to get the newest and best, and there's no point in trying to keep up with the cool kids.

I cannot tell you how often I've seen people who are in debt doing stupid things like getting a tattoo, or buying a name-brand smartphone (or tablet), or buying a brand new car (on credit).  I cannot tell you how many times I've seen people trying credit card after credit card after credit card, trying to find one that isn't maxed out, to buy stuff they need, when if they managed their money better, they'd have no problems.

And each and every one of these examples have been loudly talking about church, or wearing clothes with bible verses, or wearing religious-themed jewelry.  These people are judging those who aren't doing the same--often at full volume, in a crowded place.

And I've heard the same bunch judging me.

I don't loudly profess my faith because I've read the bible.  I know how far short I fall of what I should be.  I'm not walking the walk as well as I should be, so I don't talk the talk.

And those who aren't walking the walk but are talking the talk have been described in the bible.  Read the parable of the Pharisee and the publican.

Either walk the walk, or shut the hell up.

Better yet, just shut up.