I am writing a memoir, Sit with Me While I’m Mad, and I cuss in my memoir. I’m a Christian, and I know that many many of my Christian friends are going to have problems with that. This is for you.
As I said, my book is a memoir, and as such, it is supposed to be a true story. I am being as true to my reality as possible. Memory is fluid, and we interpret things differently depending on our perspective, but this book is as true to my experience of the world as I can possibly make it.
Yes, I could have removed the cussing. But the cussing happened, whether it was in my head or said aloud. If I deliberately change the language to be less offensive, you could, as a reader, wonder what else I’ve changed. And fairly so.
I want to be an honest reporter. This isn’t an autobiography, so there are things I’ve omitted. But what I’ve told, I want to be as close to the truth as possible. Which means including the fact that I used to cuss.
I don’t cuss much anymore, because I know it offends some people and I don’t feel like it gets me anywhere good, especially with three little kids around. I realize that there are verses in the Bible about “wholesome speech,” and swearing doesn’t fall within that category. But I also believe that God can use for good anything I surrender to him. I’ve written Sit with Me While I’m Mad with the purpose of helping those with mental illnesses, people like me, feel less alone, and to offer a glimpse of how God is faithful even in these very difficult, seemingly tragic, situations. I wholeheartedly believe God can use my writing even though it has some bad words in it.
What do you think? Can God use a book peppered with cuss words for his glory? Let me know in the comments!
I totally think that God can use your writing too! (Even with the cuss words). My favorite genre to read is memoirs. I think mostly because they can be so raw and honest. Yes, there may be some people who would find language offensive, but I think other people can be reached through the vulnerability of being so real, of not sugar coating or glossing over the rough edges of life.
Thank you, Cami. I’m pretty self-conscious about all of it, but I’m trying to be brave and say over and over again, “I have schizophrenia,” because maybe not sugar-coating it will help somebody else be able to own their truth too. I think God uses all of it, every little thing, to his glory.
I am not religious in any sense, but I feel like you should write however feels good to you. Can`t wait to read your book!
The biggest problem I have with cussing in my writing is the way it’s perceived by my friends who are also Christians. I don’t want to offend them. 😉
I know God can totally use any part of our life for His Glory. He used my brain tumors, my depression, a sexual attack and my weaknesses all for His Glory at different points in my life. It’s all a matter of surrender on my part, I think. We need to be real, honest and even a little raw……others will see through us if not. People want real. Real God, real faith, real change and yes, real life including our words.
Thank you for this. Sometimes it’s hard to see how God can use some of the awful things. We know He will, but sometimes we have to take that on faith because we just can’t see it yet. Blessings to you.