I think you illustrated a technique anyone could use in their own life. When you want to tell someone off or give someone "what for", instead, write what you want to tell them and get it all out in the note....or 3 page letter....depending how angry you are and how much "what for" you have to give...... And then put that highly charged note/letter in a drawer as if it was delivered. I think I have heard this advice from someone before, but for the life of me, I have no idea who. I will say from now on, it was from Da Sheep!I borrowed this from the Trust and Faith thread.
It's been a while since I sat and wrote something serious... but as of this morning... I knew I had to share this.
Last week... I had my feelings seriously hurt.... I was deeply offended... angry and plain disgusted. It was BAD.
The person who offended me... STRUCK my SHAME CHORD.... and I ended up spiralling down a nasty rabbit hole and not only was I closet munching on a BAD ATTITUDE... I also chose to MOW down on some resentment radishes... and some very lethal pride pickles. I polished off a case of those in about 4 days.
To be honest... I try my best to AVOID confrontation.... but it's always those situations that you just don't see coming that can knock you right out of the park in 1 nano-second or less... leaving you to wonder HOW the heck did I get here?? and then .... the adamant I did NOT deserve this. Once that guy shows up.... your goose is cooked!!! ( Sorry Bruce)
So..... "I did not deserve this" kept me company for a week and he brought his buddy "no fair". I am also quite certain that I caught a whiff of How dare you do this to me. Anyways.... YOU get the picture.
So... I wrote a note... a note defending myself... and giving this person a piece of my mind. I stuck it on the door like the 95 thesis... .and off I went... feeling awfully vindicated that I GOT to USE my words... and put this person in his place.
The house next door is empty... but the "target of my resentment" makes an appearance several times a week to check on things.... and this week-end is their HUGE family get together... which I have attended 5 years in a row. It's a week-end... filled with laughter and great joy. Last year... I made and served lasagna. I look forward to this week-end every year but THIS year.... I decided... I was NOT going to attend this function. NOPE.... NOT HAPPENING!!!
From where I sit... in my garden.... I have clear view of the DOOR that I taped my note to... and when I woke up yesterday... and peeked... BEHOLD... the note was still there.... and I decided to remove it.... so back to square ONE.
Last night... I could NOT sleep.... I was in AGONY.... the thoughts would not stop coming... and I asked GOD to help me figure out how to just STOP it all. I simply could not process everything that had occurred.
A few hours later... the burden just suddenly lifted and my thoughts began to change to ... WHAT if you are wrong? What if you have MIS-UNDERSTOOD the intentions of this person? What if this is simply an issue of HOW a man sees things as opposed to how a woman sees things?....
and then..... IS this worth the great loss that you will experience if YOU CHOOSE to hold onto your resentment? Is it worth the HURT and DIVISION that it will cause this family that you love so much? and.... the ANSWER was NO.. it is NOT worth it. AND suddenly.... there did not seem to be an ISSUE. I was able to forgive EVERYTHING... and the best part is that GOD... in HIS LOVING MERCY... allowed me the space... time... and dignity to process everything without causing any harm. Had the note been seen.... things would have been irreversible.
Sometimes we do not have the luxury of time on our side. Decisions we make can have severe ramifications... and so... I am GRATEFUL that Father allowed me to process it all without ADDING to the situation.
On a scale from 1-10... this was not even a 0... yet it hit me so hard that it felt like 10 at the time.
I'm not sure why I decided to share this.... perhaps... someone reading... will be able to identify... and choose to DROP a resentment that they have been carrying around... or better yet.... choose NOT to ACT on something that will make their situation worse.
I am reminded that MERCY is given to those who DO NOT DESERVE. I am also reminded that often .... I am the recipient of UNDESERVED MERCY.
~Confessions of DA SHEEP ( Episode 765
And the best part is...... I shall be ATTENDING the family function this week-end!
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Good morning, Big Moose;
