How true that the words can either bring healing or wound
someone so deep!
I was just doing the usual…The desire to help my friend
who was in need. God comforted me many times and that comfort and compassion
were the reasons that always drove me to extend to those in need. I called my
friend in the hospital caring for her mother who got hurt. I could see her
needs. I could feel her heartaches. I could sense her losses. I even cried her tears!
Concerned that she lacked sleep and needed to go home to
take a shower and do some things at home, I wanted to offer to drive her home
even if I lived miles away and her house was closer to the hospital.
From one corner of the room, some loud words echoed…
“Why is she coming here?”
I heard my friend talked to that person who spoke those
words and I knew she must cover the mouthpiece of the phone for the rest came
blurred to my end. It was her brother-in-law.
Such a devastating barrage of assault that had nothing
but ill will and wrong judgments! Someone’s nose always sticking to people’s
business and assuming that he knew what was up and that he was always right! I
knew his real feelings toward me anyway from the moment I met him. Except it
took many years out of his own mouth for the words to finally flow from his
heart.
And I couldn’t tell you how painful such words penetrated
my heart and soul knowing that I had nothing but the best intentions for my
friend who faced many storms for many years. Such a proud, angry, malicious, insane,
and most of all, ignorant I thought despite his own bragging of his
own accomplishments.
He apologized. Except I told my friend I felt it wasn’t
sincere. Because she made him apologize to me. And defensive right away as I
started saying that I understood where he was coming from. To me, why apologize
if you were already saying I was wrong for misinterpreting what he said?
God commands to forgive. It’s not easy. Especially
knowing how this man is towards me and most of all, towards my friend. But I
did. Except it’s not easy to forget. If there is one thing I know of, God is
pleased when we bear each other’s burdens, especially with our own brothers and
sisters in Christ’s family. My friend told me much later that he even said I
was not her family. How true in man’s wisdom! But from God’s?
Share each
other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
If someone
has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no
compassion--how can God's love be in that person? – 1 John 3:17 (NLT)
What
good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show
it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a
brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have
a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any
food or clothing. What good does that do?
So
you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is
dead and useless. – James 2:14-17 (NLT)
So…by God’s grace, may we know more things of God so that
in return, we may all learn to help each
other in this difficult journey we are all in…
Wow, it's hard to forgive anytime but when the person has such a chip on their shoulder, his pain seems to go on and on. Your friend must have been embarrassed with her brother's lack of filter. Good for you taking the high road. It really is about laying down our concerns and putting people and situations on God's hook to deal with. And we are free. You are a wonderful friend. I love your heart and comforting words spoken over me and mine. That brother has no clue. He should be laying out the red carpet for his sister's friend to come and minister life to their weariness.
ReplyDeleteI just had to come by and say hello. It's been too long. I was looking at a post on Heart Choices and read a comment you wrote to me years ago. I've taken a break from blogging to write a book. And I finished it and sent it to an editor. I got it back and so now I'm in the process of completing the edits. I'll let you know when it's published. It's called "No Regrets" and contains inspirational stories from the many patients I got to know as a nurse. Are you on Facebook?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mary... Obviously that brother has a lot of inner wounds that need healing. Maybe he cannot bear your kindness... it probably rubs salt on some of his wounds. Thank you for your post, dear Rosel. Life is too short to carry the heavy burden of unforgiveness. I am so glad I stopped by here today. Much love, Lidia
ReplyDeleteHi, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well by you as we begin this wonderful month of thanksgiving. I'm thankful for you. I am encouraged at your words about my health and I know you understand my plight working in orthopedics. May God's blessings and favor shower you and your family. Appreciate and love you!
Forgiveness is such a big deal in our spiritual walk. With out exercising it we would stay bond up and be of no use for our Savior. Glad I did some back tracking to catch up...good post.
ReplyDelete