Sunday, a friend of mine made a minor offense in our relationship.
Wednesday, I had a great conversation on Skype with my friend Cree. When I asked her what she had been learning from God, she started sharing about being engulfed in grace that we feel peace in the reality of who we are...both before God and before those we fellowship with. (I hope that was accurate, Cree).
Wednesday night, the friend from Sunday called to apologize about Sunday.
Thursday morning, I am dwelling on I John 4:18 "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
My mentor has coined the phrase "So what?! Relationships are messy!" She uses the statement to diminish the drama of being hurt in an arrangement that will inevitably be painful in some way or another. I think the command for Christian relationships doesn't prevent hurt in relationships, but rather helps us work through the after math.
I John reiterates that all are guilty of sin (1:8,10; 5:16-18...). At some point the faults of each of us will harm another. Again the test comes in how we respond to these situations.
I guess my conversation with Cree and my reading this morning has given me two directions:
1.) Fantasy says that our friendships will be perfect. But reality says that Relationships ARE messy. Forgive.
2.) In my pride I become fearful that my flaws have possibly ruined relationships. But the above statement needs to be reciprocated. Let the perfect love cast out fear and free us to love courageously. Forgive yourself.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Tiffany, thanks for sharing this spiritual snack! I love to hear you process, seriously.
When I was teaching my Bible study, God was teaching ME about the Greek translation of the fruit of the Spirit, patience, makrothumia. It means being patient when provoked or when you shouldn't have to be (as opposed to the waiting patience or he patience through adversity, which is a different word, hyponome) and because it's a fruit of the Spirit, we know we can only exhibit it, we can't create it. That's why it's so freakin' hard to not lose our cool and try to forgive someone, it's not in us except through the Spirit.
I'm not telling you anything you don't know already, but I appreciated your post b/c it reminds us that no one ever said things would be fair or friendships would be without work—but isn't it nice to know that because of God we're equipped for both? Pretty sure I've been mad at my friend all week, won't say who, but this was most helpful in helping me get perspective on where she's coming from and forgiving her. Love you lots. Let's catch up soon!!
Post a Comment