But I Didn't

"But I Didn't" by Taylor Smith

When I was a junior in high school I found a nasty note in the trash that two girls had written back and forth on.... about ME. 💔

And it wasn’t nice.

To read the words about how obnoxious I was, or making fun of the way I dressed and talked and how much weight I had gained, etc. stung. It actually took my breath away because I hadn’t been anything but nice to these girls.

I remember reading the note by myself in the hallway and immediately weeping at the harsh words. Not knowing where to turn, I called my church small group leader and she prayed over me.

In the prayer, she said something about how Jesus was mocked and ridiculed... yet He didn’t retaliate. He just humbly responded in love. ♥️

That was SO profound for me. 🤯 I remember walking away, feeling free. That I could forgive them without them even knowing or giving an apology. The next day, word got out that I found their note and I could feel their energy in class as they prepared for me to “say something” about it and settle the matter.

But I didn’t. 🤐

I walked into class and smiled at them. Genuinely. I loved. I knew all of what they said about me, but I didn’t let them dim my light. I actually chose to shine BRIGHTER. I didn’t stoop down to that level. I loved how I think Jesus would have and I think He was pretty proud of that. ✨

👉🏼 And ever since then, I’ve made a decision to LOVE in spite of how other people treat me. 👈🏼

They’re always going to have something to say, sister. I don’t care who you are, who your daddy is, how pretty you are or how perfect your life may seem. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Don’t let it touch you. Let it inspire you to shine BRIGHTER ✨ and love harder. ♥️

Your heart is too beautiful and too lovely to let any of that darkness in.

Don’t dim your light for anything. The world is depending on it. ✨✨