Journal The Cabin

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 :D )

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 :D ).



And the best part is...... I shall be ATTENDING the family function this week-end!



View attachment 13274 p
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 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!
Good morning, Big Moose;

My Dad taught me years ago to write and put the emotional letter in the drawer and a few days later things may cool down for the person who wrote it.

Or in a calm manner write how you feel and send it to the other person. People tend to read and receive those kind of letters and will reread it, instead of lashing out at them.

Back in the 90's I used to go to the Christian store and they would joke with me because I was back to stock up on "forgive me" cards. lol!

God bless you, brother.

Bob
 
I felt bad just putting some protein drinks and water in the fridge, so I added some Pepsi.
Then I decided that wasnt enough, so there is now Cheer Wine and Mountain Dew, too.
The freezer looked rather bare so there are now ice cream sandwiches, ice pops, and fudge bars.
Our resident snails have fresh salad greens to munch on. They have been lonely.
 
I felt bad just putting some protein drinks and water in the fridge, so I added some Pepsi.
Then I decided that wasnt enough, so there is now Cheer Wine and Mountain Dew, too.
The freezer looked rather bare so there are now ice cream sandwiches, ice pops, and fudge bars.
Our resident snails have fresh salad greens to munch on. They have been lonely.

Good morning, thenami;

What is "Cheer" "Wine"?

It reminds me of passages that express joy verse weeping. lol!

Personally, I'm not fully on board yet with AI. (That's another step for quick answers) and I would rather be patient and ask directly in our fellowship.
😎👍

God bless you, sister.

Bob
 
The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.”
Exodus 14:14 ( Amplified Bible )


Happy Wednesday to everyone. I just got back home from the dentist and my lip is frozen. HA.

It's been an interesting last 10ish days... I had no idea that there was scripture to explain what I have been through... but
I heard someone talking about this a few minutes ago on a face book short reel... and it's like a light bulb went off.

There is something about NOT defending ourselves that seems to be the CHRISTIAN way... and I'm not sure about you... but this is NOT NATURAL for me... at ALL.... and I don't think I have ever even thought about this before.... because my big mouth usually simply always defends.... when I meet up with arrogance.

This situation was very different... very complex and very difficult because it involved a family that I love very much.
My heart was to protect the rest of the family while dealing with the one member who offended and hurt me.... and because I did not know how to handle things.... I did NOTHING... I simply stewed in the great hurt... but through my stewing.... as posted above (#1053).... it was made clear to me that I should NOT retaliate... and so.... I retreated.

I attended the function on Saturday... but I was not able to stay much longer than an hour.... I made sure to simply make an appearance and talk to the matriarch of the family so as NOT to cause any disturbance. That was my heart's desire.

The rest of the week-end was spent with a great sadness... because something so special.... has been SPOILED.... and no attempt to repair the damage that I am quite CERTAIN the family is aware of.

Anyways.... I am finally starting to get back to my old self... This one really knocked me off the fence.... but now that everyone has gone and all is quiet again... I can now simply LET go of the sadness and remaining hurt.

What I have learned is the IMPORTANCE of being SILENT. I don't know why it's important... but it seems to be connected to "allowing GOD to defend us". This is NOT an easy thing to do... and even though my faith is unshakeable... I still did not believe this would turn out good. I did not EXPECT God to show up and ensure that FAIRNESS was maintained... but HE DID... and so the sadness that I feel because of something being damaged seems to be what occurs when someone has hurt us.

I have forgiven this person... because I do not want to be burdened with a heavy weight... but again... the challenge is still there of forgiving someone who is NOT sorry. That seems to be a lot harder than when someone comes to us for forgiveness.

So now... I am going to enjoy the rest of a QUIET week so that I can regain my peace and JOY.

I love you forum family... so very much.... I am grateful for all of you... I just need a few more days of being quiet... and by the end of the week... I should be back to my normal.... FUNNY self.

Love.... DA SHEEP
 
The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.”
Exodus 14:14 ( Amplified Bible )


Happy Wednesday to everyone. I just got back home from the dentist and my lip is frozen. HA.

It's been an interesting last 10ish days... I had no idea that there was scripture to explain what I have been through... but
I heard someone talking about this a few minutes ago on a face book short reel... and it's like a light bulb went off.

There is something about NOT defending ourselves that seems to be the CHRISTIAN way... and I'm not sure about you... but this is NOT NATURAL for me... at ALL.... and I don't think I have ever even thought about this before.... because my big mouth usually simply always defends.... when I meet up with arrogance.

This situation was very different... very complex and very difficult because it involved a family that I love very much.
My heart was to protect the rest of the family while dealing with the one member who offended and hurt me.... and because I did not know how to handle things.... I did NOTHING... I simply stewed in the great hurt... but through my stewing.... as posted above (#1053).... it was made clear to me that I should NOT retaliate... and so.... I retreated.

I attended the function on Saturday... but I was not able to stay much longer than an hour.... I made sure to simply make an appearance and talk to the matriarch of the family so as NOT to cause any disturbance. That was my heart's desire.

The rest of the week-end was spent with a great sadness... because something so special.... has been SPOILED.... and no attempt to repair the damage that I am quite CERTAIN the family is aware of.

Anyways.... I am finally starting to get back to my old self... This one really knocked me off the fence.... but now that everyone has gone and all is quiet again... I can now simply LET go of the sadness and remaining hurt.

What I have learned is the IMPORTANCE of being SILENT. I don't know why it's important... but it seems to be connected to "allowing GOD to defend us". This is NOT an easy thing to do... and even though my faith is unshakeable... I still did not believe this would turn out good. I did not EXPECT God to show up and ensure that FAIRNESS was maintained... but HE DID... and so the sadness that I feel because of something being damaged seems to be what occurs when someone has hurt us.

I have forgiven this person... because I do not want to be burdened with a heavy weight... but again... the challenge is still there of forgiving someone who is NOT sorry. That seems to be a lot harder than when someone comes to us for forgiveness.

So now... I am going to enjoy the rest of a QUIET week so that I can regain my peace and JOY.

I love you forum family... so very much.... I am grateful for all of you... I just need a few more days of being quiet... and by the end of the week... I should be back to my normal.... FUNNY self.

Love.... DA SHEEP

Good morning, In Awe of Him;

In the time I've gotten to know you I've always been encouraged whenever you need to open up. Your post above is your time not to be silent. Other times the Lord empowers us to be silent and calm.

Ephesians 4:29, 29 Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
- AMP

The growing Christian knows how to guard his / her tongue, speaking only what is good for necessary edification, desiring to sprinkly grace to all who hear him.

All Christians are God's continued work in progress when it's time to speak and when to be silent. I find myself feeding off this example. Christians breed Christians.
It's Biblical;

Hebrews 3:13, 13 But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication]. - AMP

Thank you for sharing.

God bless you, sister.

Bob
 
To piggyback with Bob, here is Romans 12 from Biblehub.com where they title it:

Behave Like a Christian​

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I always have liked verses 20 and 21. It is the opposite of what our nature wants, which clearly makes these strategies only God's inspiration.
 
I DARE you to smother him with love and kindness.........lol
See...rious...ly....... Could you NOT have dared me to invite an owl to the Cabin for a sleep-over??? :D

To be honest... this was not that kind of situation as I do not see this person often enough to lavish him with ANYTHING.
We have been on talking terms but I have always sensed some discomfort in his presence.... so... I guess Father was being very gentle and let me off the hook for part of this process. I will be allowed to heal in private.... which I am grateful for.

Going to be a scorching hot day... so I am going to enjoy the beach today.
 
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