“Plain and simple: Mean people need Jesus. They will be in my prayers tonight… 1 Peter 2:1-25” – TWEET BY CARRIE UNDERWOOD

What you’ve just read is the tweet that Carrie Underwood wrote in response to all those who crucified her acting in last week’s live Sound of Music production on NBC.

While I am in no way a holy roller, I give Ms. Underwood credit for her classy reply to all the unkind people out there taking shots at her. (Side note: I doubt many of these critics could ever dream of looking as gorgeous or singing as beautifully as Ms. Underwood, and they probably couldn’t hold a candle to her in the acting department either – you go, girl.)

The whole thing got me thinking: Why does our culture love to hurl insults? To try to tear down people when they’re on top? Why should someone who has a lot of blessings have to prepare to be the target of some form of abuse or cruelty? Or is this just part of the deal folks strike in exchange for fame, success and/or prosperity?

We were taught, back in the day, that, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” But Twitter and other social media sites have created forums where folks get online and, in a rather crude fashion, unleash on any topic that they wish.

To anyone tempted: Rather than trash-talking online, step away from your computer and spend time thinking of ways to improve yourself.  And to satisfy the itch to share ideas via the web, how about using your keyboard to touch (rather than stab) people’s hearts with positive, inspiring, supportive messages?

Wear the Cape, people. You are the building blocks of our future.