tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-889033218158877092.post5524967943877129310..comments2023-10-30T08:29:44.282-05:00Comments on thoughts, musings & the odd butterfly along the journey: forgive and blessJoy Thomas Klassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18063553632501472958noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-889033218158877092.post-64409378738622521422014-05-13T11:05:19.292-05:002014-05-13T11:05:19.292-05:00Thank you for this Joy. I, too, have been on the ...Thank you for this Joy. I, too, have been on the receiving end of bullying and it has made me question my abilities, my worth, my character. I have one friendship where I'm challenged on every single thing I say - and am constantly getting preached at and this also happens with our girls. It's funny what you can put up with for yourself but when it extends to your own kids then it's serious business! I find that often I don't see it for what it is because I feel that if there's discord or awkwardness then obviously its all my fault. I tend to assume that I'm the one that needs to change, I'm the one in the wrong and I can't see things clearly enough to see the unbalanced nature of our relationship. It took the comments of my husband for me to finally see things for what they were and to finally be okay with letting an unhealthy friendship go. I've also just gone through a very difficult situation with another person and decided to take the high road and extend grace, but it certainly wasn't reciprocated. The false accusations that were made against me were so absurd that they were laughable - and yet, I keep questioning them, wondering if there is a shred of truth to them. I have to keep reminding myself that there isn't and that this is entirely her issue, not mine. But to forgive will take some time and a lot of effort after 8 years of trying to bring closure to this difficult chapter in my life. I keep remembering the scripture that says to bless those who persecute you...and I am trying, by the grace of God, to do that with these people...to pray for them, to understand that hurt people hurt people and that it is their pain that causes them to lash out at others. Thanks for sharing your stories. You are definitely NOT stupid!! You are an amazing woman of God with compassion and wisdom and so much to offer.SherryKayDycknoreply@blogger.com