Relationships & Peacemaking

I just knew I wouldn’t like you …

September 27, 2006 /

Last week, at different times, I had two (very well-respected, “successful”) Christians say basically the same thing to me:

“The first time I met you, I just knew I wouldn’t like you. At all. And I didn’t.”

But THEN, after getting to know me a little bit (AND after they observed me receiving some honor / awards / public acceptance), they said this:

“But NOW I think that we really COULD be friends. I sure love you, Tara. I’d love to get to spend time with you and work with you.”

Strange, huh?

Not strange that they wouldn’t like me–that happens a lot.
But strange to have two people in one week say the same thing to me, don’t you think?

And strange … in fact, SAD, that they are both Christians. Ostensibly mature Believers. People who love God and are loved by God. Defined by GRACE.

But boy, their comments hurt. A LOT.

Talking about it with Fred and praying together over it, we came to this conclusion:

Such comments hurt because they are grace-less.

These people didn’t persevere in love with me out of mercy or grace … they waited until I “got my act together” and became “lovable” and “acceptable” and THEN they wanted to be my friend and “love” me.

But isn’t that exactly what Jesus said that the pagans and tax-collectors do? (Love those who love them. Do good to people who do good to them.)

Where is the grace?
 Where are the (older, more mature, wiser) Christians who love the unlovable?
Show mercy to those who do not DESERVE their love? (Isn’t that what MERCY is?)

You know–I have received mercy from certain people. I have received grace.
I have been the recipient of Christ-like love.
And I am very, very grateful.

I pray that I would love with grace-based love!
Especially those who hurt me. Reject me. Judge me before they even get to know me.

That the world might believe that the Father sent the Son! And the Father loves them. (John 17-20-23)

Love to all!

Yours,
Tara B.

PS
Just to let you know–I also took their comments as feedback that I must listen to, learn from, and grow in response to. I KNOW that God is at work in me to gentle me and help me to be more careful in how I come across–but I also know that I have a LONG way to go in my journey of sanctification. But I do take their feedback seriously and I really DO want to grow and change to be more like Christ.