She is loud, rude, interrupts and finishes my sentences when I am talking to others. She tries to inject herself into my life; wants to be my friend. She has no friends because others in our small town find her as irritating as I do. It is difficult for her to take a hint and I have found myself being openly impatient and rude to her. Bad Christian, bad ! !
Excuse: I do not make friends easily. Many years ago, a "friend" turned on me in a way that changed the course of my life and I have been very cautious about friends ever since. It took me many years to even accept a friend after that. I take friendship very seriously and can count close friends from my entire life on one hand. I choose my friends (carefully) - not the other way around.
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.
I found myself being rude to her one day (not that she even noticed) and that night prayed about the situation, because I was ashamed. Next morning, I took my coffee in front of one of my favorite TV evangelists just to hear him talking about being nice to people who are irritating. Oooops! Next morning, with coffee in front of another minister, I heard a similar message about patience with people who are difficult and do not have friends.
Yes, He speaks to us in various ways, when we are listening. (I wish I had not been listening.) You know that creepy feeling that convicts you of poor behavior when you are beginning to get smug about yourself ? It's called conviction.
Realize: God will not let me move on with my spiritual growth until I deal with this issue. What to do?
First, realize she is a sheep without a shepherd. She is a sister in Christ. (We should never be openly impatient with a fellow Christian.) She is her own worst enemy. She needs a friend. Granted, we will never be close but I can be more patient with her.
Then, I will pray for her . . . . and me. There is magic in praying for any one you have a problem with. It's a trick of God: When you pray for anyone, you find yourself defending them, asking help for them and generally becoming their advocate. This, in turn, makes you more sensitive and understanding to their situation which softens your feelings and creates more Godly attitude in you (me). Praying for anyone you have an issue with can really improve your own situation.
This lady does not persecute me; actually quite the opposite. So, I should thank God that anyone admires me enough to want to be a friend. (It would just be easier if she would take "no" for an answer. - just kidding! LOL)
Praise God who loves me enough to correct me gently.
Amen
P.S. It is now a couple months after I first posted this blog. I want to let you know that I have made the effort to look at her face when I talk to her. I even initiate conversation. She does not "strain" any more to get my attention or go out of her way to push in and interrupt. Things are much more relaxed between us. She is not imposing herself on me. We have casual conversation and move on. That is all this woman wanted; a little recognition - the same recognition that I give anyone else. It was not easy to write this article. I wanted to share just in case this personal experience will help someone else smooth over a similar situation. She did not want to inject herself into my life, merely into the same courtesy I show everyone else; to be counted worthy of the attention from someone she apparently respects. There is now no strain when I run into her AND I like myself much more. The blessing here is coming to see some of her positive traits.
Thank you, Father, for teaching me this special lesson.
Amen
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