The reviews are in…

I made the mistake of spending too much time reading reviews on Amazon recently, and while The Respect Dare has around 212 reviews, and a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, of course I focused on the handful of 1’s, 2’s, and 3’s.

And at the end of that super stupid use of my time, I felt discouraged, of course.

And misunderstood.

So much so that it took me a while to remember that it always goes this way.

And I know better.

So somewhat deflated, I returned to our work with Dare 9.

I read through it again.  The negative reviewers’  voices haunt me.   “Your book is encouraging wives to  be a doormat in marriage.”

And I confess, it’s the wrong time of the month for this, and the tears welled and the questions started.

Were they right? Was I in fact, as one blogger called me, “the worst thing to happen to women?”

Maybe.

I don’t know.

A brief glimpse into one relationship

I do know that Dare 9 is a simple story about a step-mom who chooses to take baby steps in a relationship with her teenage step-son.  And no, it’s really not about marriage, as one reviewer so vehemently pointed out.

And I wondered, “what’s true here, God?”

He was quick to reply, “How a step-mom treats her husband’s children matters to their marriage.” 

Oh. Yes, I had forgotten that.

And yes, the step-mom in the chapter example did overlook an insult. She did choose to extend grace in that moment… but if she’s anything like me, there’s probably a ton of other times she didn’t.

And I remember the class member – actually many like her, that possess the real strength necessary to not react defensively when others treat us poorly, immaturely…

She wasn’t a doormat, rather she is a strong woman.

Strength & Dignity

I wonder if our own fear of “not measuring up” and “needing to be perfect” makes some judge the step-mom example as the perfect example of a doormat?

Dare #9’s example of the step-mom didn’t explore the many times when she DID level reality discipline on the kid for breaking the rules, and he couldn’t use his car for a few days?

But the story wasn’t about those things, rather it illuminated a small moment, emptying a dishwasher, where she could be like Jesus.

And if that makes her a doormat, and the book damaging to women, well, fine.

And even though I’m discouraged, I still really believe that most people (myself included) are just too selfish. I still really believe that we (myself included) spend way too much time on the throne reserved for God.

It’s so much easier to just react defensively and destroy another person with our words by lashing out at them in the name of “speaking up for ourselves.”

And I need to remember that there will always be those who believe that the only way to get your point across is by stomping all over someone else in the process.

They call this, “standing up for your rights,” and “being heard.”

I think there’s a better way.

No, I KNOW there’s a better way.

So did Dale Carnegie, a Christian man whose book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” brought the gospel message to people in droves such that it outsold every book in the world, save the Bible, for decades.

But what do I know? I’m just a doormat, right? 🙂

The Respect Dare is a sliver of a marriage relationship. It’s not about setting up an environment for abuse – it’s about applied respect in our homes. No, there aren’t 40 stories about how to manipulate others, or even, how to speak the truth in love, although that’s in there – I just don’t shout about it, because it’s my goal to be a woman of strength and dignity.  

Women who need to shout to be heard are disrespectful toward themselves and others.

Check this guest post I did for Peaceful Wife where that little aspect, present in many of the dares, is just simply overlooked.

I wonder why that is.

Why do we miss it when it’s done well? 

Do you know?

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

Proverbs  31:10

Thankful to be on the journey with you today, regardless of where you are in the book, or whether you believe respectful women are doormats or not. I am interested in your thoughts, however.

And if you are parenting tweens, teens, or twenty-somethings, you should totally follow Debbie. Like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter as @NinaRoesner.  Come join the discussions!

Love to you,

~Nina

Read the fictional book about 6 wives who are DEFINITELY NOT doormats!  Dare to Respect is changing hearts one marriage at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to get respect right with parenting?  Read Debbie’s book, With All Due Respect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Nina Roesner of The Respect Dare, Debbie Hitchcock of With All Due Respect, Tammy Oberg De La Garza of Dare to Respect, and all the phenomenal women of Greater Impact Ministries at Boot Camp, where you will …