Friends and Enemies

I can't help it ... I'm a sensitive, emotional person. I know a lot of people are that way. Everyone's unique and different, everyone has strengths and weaknesses.


I fully realize that as you go through this life, not everyone's gonna like you. It's OK to have just a few "close" friends. You can still be generally friendly with folks, though. I've learned in life that sometimes people "click," and other times people "clash." I have a "clash" that's been going on for a few years now. It's gotten to the point that I feel panic and fright just seeing this person.


I try very hard to keep distance. I pray for God's buffering hand. I try to NOT think about it. It works ... until I see this person again. Which happens to be regularly, as this person is a lady in our church.


She has a strong personality and is rather "take charge" in attitude. Hey, that's no problem, we need everyone ... some are good at taking charge, some are good at working in the background, and so on. That's not the problem.


The problem is ... hostility. She seems to be alright with everyone ... but me. The hostility vibes roll off of her towards me so thick you could cut them with a knife. It's tangible. It's not what she says ... it's her body language, attitude and what she DOESN'T say that speaks volumes more than words ever could.


Let's just say that at this point I am totally sapped, dragged down and my emotions are pretty tattered. Why is it that you can have 99 percent good things going on, but that 1 percent little bit of crap can ruin the whole thing? Is it the thing about the "squeaky wheel getting the grease?"


Yesterday at church, for reasons that are too complicated to get into, I ended up in tears in Sunday school class, concerning this person and related stuff. I hate that. The tears just well up and spill out and I can't help it. Then before church started, a dear older lady friend said she'd keep me in prayer, though I didn't tell her any specifics. But then ... one gal came up and gave me a big hug and we talked awhile, and I started spilling my heart about WHO it was that was causing such trouble and WHY. Then during greeting time another gal gave me a big hug and I also told her the same thing, and this second gal is in this family. Long story short, this second gal and I are going to have some lunch together today and kind of visit about all this. I know one thing ... if anybody can get to the bottom of things and help fix it, THIS GAL CAN. I appreciate so much several yesterday who cared. But in this gal, I think I have ... an ally of sorts. She will understand, I'm sure. If nothing else happens from this, though, it helps so much to know that at least two or so friends now know what the deal is, and they CARE.


Last night I went to bed with all this on my mind, even though I just wanted to fall asleep. I kind of tossed and turned for a bit. Tried to play the radio softly. Bleh. I wasn't in the mood to listen to Willie Nelson sing. *SNAP* off went the radio. I was praying. Suddenly, the hymn "Bringing In the Sheaves" came to mind. I started thinking on that song over and over, "singing" it in my head, and before long, I was asleep. I feel God graciously gave me something cheerful and uplifting to calm me down. Then, after getting up this morning, that hymn is STILL on my mind!


What is it about a good night's sleep that really helps rest and restore a person from the previous day's troubles? I love it. What a relief it is.


So, as of this moment, mid-morning, I await a phone call that my friend is ready for a lunch break, and we're going to grab some sandwiches from the grocery store, and go have a visit. I am thankful ... meanwhile praying that this situation will be resolved, fixed, turned around, or at least made bearable. I don't expect to be close friends with everybody in the world, but this "enemy" attitude, especially in my church family, has got to stop. GOD IS GOOD, HE WILL HELP, HE WILL RESTORE, HE WILL RESCUE.