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Tattletales and Bent Batons
from October 2021
by Monica Gambrell
Many dark lessons are learned when one grows up in an abusive household, some to be forgotten. One lesson that has stayed with me long-term, however, regards what it means to be a “tattletale.” My generation grew up with the notion that to be a “whistle-blower,” “rat-fink,” or a “tattletale,” was the death of one’s character. It was strictly taboo.
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When I was three or four years old, my sister broke the arm off my new doll. I do not remember whether this was intentional or not, and that is not important. My feelings were hurt and I knew of no other remedy than to tell my father. Although I had seen his temper on many occasions, it did not register in my young brain what the consequences of that action might be. They were horrendous. He took my sister’s shiny silver twirling baton and abused her. I was horrified. I understood clearly then that my words had incredible power, and even at the tender age, I knew how dangerous they could be. • “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth,” (Psalm 145:18). • “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgement in your courts,” (Zechariah 8:16). • “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what
he has done has been done through God,” (John 3:21). • “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” (John 8:32). • “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is,
Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15).
It was not until I became a parent myself, that it dawned on me—there are times when being a “tattletale” is perfectly acceptable. When an individual is in danger of physical, emotional, or spiritual harm, or when moral boundaries are being crossed, be a “tattletale!” Our beliefs and actions must be based in truth, not on the accepted norms of our generation. There are eighty verses in the Bible where Jesus says, “I tell you the truth.” If we are to follow His example, we must tell the truth.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
