Have you ever gotten up in the morning and thought, ” That’s it, I’m finished.” I did this morning, but not as you might think. There has been a person that I have been at odds with for years. Someone that I have never invited to any occasion at my house, though they have shown up anyway. If I told you the story you would probably agree with me. But that story is not mine to tell. This is not a dangerous person, just one who loves to get a good stink going among people. There was a time that if I could have burned the welcome mat and boarded up the whole house I would have just to keep this person out. Great Christian attitude, right?
But I woke up this morning knowing that I was finished. “Stick a fork in me I’m done!”, crossed my mind. I am finished being angry, finished being passive aggressive, finished not inviting. If a boundary needs to be set I know I can say it with firm gentleness.
There is no explanation for my change as far as I can tell. I have not gone on an anti-anxiety drug, or anti-depressant, or anti-personwhodrivemenuts pill. There is no nice pill or drink in my cabinets. The person has not really changed, at least I don’t think they have. I really have not had a conversation in years.
The only thing I can contribute it to is prayer. For the past year my prayers have changed. Instead of praying that God would remove my enemy, I have prayed for Him to bless them. Prayed for safety, closer walk with the Lord ( or salvation if it is not there), prayed for their relationships and home.
One of my daughters, when she was little, would always carry a blanket with her. She would love it when we chased her, pretending to be monsters that were coming to get her. Laughing and running from room to room. But when we got too close, or she felt like she could not escape, she would sit on the floor, throw her blanket over head, stick her thumb in her mouth and say, “woo cont wee me!”. Translation-“You can’t see me!”
That is what I have been doing all these years. Hiding away instead of standing up with loving words and loving boundries, and inviting this person into the love. They may never change, but God has changed me.
This year, instead of closing my eyes and hoping they go away or burning the welcome mat, I am inviting this person in. I am not telling you this to pat myself on the back. It is really shameful that I have not extended an invitation before now.
All of us have people in our lives that we don’t want to deal with. During this time of Thankfulness, let us show by example, the love of Christ to those who are lost, hurting or just plain obnoxious. Whether they ever change or not, let us be changed by the renewing of our minds in Christ. Let us try to have the mind of Christ and allow Him to rule especially during this season of Thankfulness.
Here are some ways to try and get through as a daughter of the King:
“I will life up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.” Psalms 121: 1,2,7
“But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” 1 Peter 3:14-15
Blessings to you and yours next week during Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you as a reader, and many of you as an unseen friend. Now we know each other through blogs, but one day we will tell stories, face to face.
Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)
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I love your picture of drawing boundaries with love and inviting your enemy into that love. What a beautiful truth!
Thank you, sweet friend!
I have a couple of those people, too. I really need to pray and ask God to bring me to the same place you are. I want to bring them into that love, but when it comes time I chicken out or I become resentful that I did it and have to fake my way through it. That's not the love that God would have us share with those people. Thanks for sharing and reminding me to pray for this area of my life.