I was eating at Jimmy Johns a few nights ago, and this group came in: three girls, two guys, mid to late 20s I’d guess. The girls were all attractive, and dressed modestly (probably because it was cold, but we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt). I tweeted “Oh God, help me.” Shortly after, I noticed that, while one of the girls was ordering, one of the guys (I would assume her boyfriend) pinched her butt. What really shocked me, is that she didn’t react at all; no flirty smile, no grimace, no anger, nothing. I continued to glance at the group, as they picked up their sandwiches and sat down. Luckily, the girls and I shared a line of sight, whenever the guy in between moved his head. As I continued to observe their interaction and facial expressions, (the other girl had her back towards me at another table), I began to discover that neither of the girls seemed to be very happy. Sure, there were bursts of laughter, but there was something in their eyes, something that seemed to be screaming for happiness. But it had been screaming for so long, that it was now reduced to just a whisper. It had endured so much disappointment, that it was now silent. Silent, like the girl who didn’t react, positively or negatively, to the guy pinching her: she had probably endured so much “abuse” and “objectification,” that it was what she was used to, and so she accepted it, even craved it. I was saddened. I love them. I miss them. I wish we were still sitting at Jimmy Johns, where I could at the very least watch over them. I wish I had said something, said anything, “God loves you,” with a boldness that kept any jealous fists from meeting my jaw. I wish I had reminded them that they were a creation of God, and worth more than they now believed themselves to be. I failed them. I missed that opportunity, and probably lacked the courage to act upon it. But it got me thinking about myself, and how we all devalue ourselves and others. And so, I am thankful for them, and I will be thinking about and praying for them, and the guys who accompanied them. I am crying for them; God, love them.
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