I'm in trouble with everyone today. Yesterday was going so good. I got to get to know a friend a little better in the morning. The sun was shining beautifully. We had sold some big junk that was taking up ridiculous amounts of garage space. We loaded up the rest in five HUGE garbage bags (those industrial ones) to take to the Goodwill.
Yep, I was feeling good. Then it happened. This girl is back in the neighborhood because she got suspended from sports for drinking and having bad grades. This girl has hurt my daughter. This girl makes out with boys in front of my house on the play ground. This girl wears her bikini and short shorts all summer again at the play ground. Can you tell I don't like this girl very much?
Well, guess what! She's 13...
Most of the reasons I don't like her have to do with wanting to protect my own kids and I've really struggled with going between that and knowing that I should love her because Jesus does.
Long ago I said "I want to be the mom that everyone can come to. I want to be the house that everyone wants to hang out at." But seriously, when it comes down to it, that is not an easy thing to be.
Other people seem to do it but I'm sure those other people don't have the control issues that I've had or something. I don't know. I really want to say they are just better Christians than me.
So anyway, out of my frustration yesterday I said the above mentioned girl was acting like (well something that rhymes with 'but'). It got back to her. And I caused a 13 year old girl to go home crying.
Yep, that's me.
And to make things worse my first thoughts were along the lines of "well she shouldn't behave like one..."
Then I felt really bad! Like really really bad!
I'm going to have her come over and apologize sincerely when she gets home from school and I'm going to refrain from the "well you just shouldn't act like that..." lecture.
Talk about having to practice what I preach. I really believe that we should treat all people like they are sweet innocent little children, no matter where they are in life. We are called to "speak the truth in love" and that means seeing people's true selves, as in who God created them to be, and helping them to see that person as well.
Pray for me to calm this wild fire I started and that this will bring about something completely positive in this little girl and me and this neighborhood and town we live in.
Happy Monday;0)
4 comments:
Oops.
I'll be praying that something good comes out of your chat with her.
(((HUGS)))
We've all opened our mouths and later (either immediately or much later) regretted it. It's unfortunate that there is no undo button on our tongues. I know the good that comes is usually God using our tongues to remind us we are truly sinners in need of a savior. Our God can redeem even this.
So true Camilla:)
When we say our amends, God opens up the heavens and sings "Alleluia"
God Bless you and your family. What an example you are setting. I have to say, I would have had the same reaction you did.
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