Day 26: Listening

A few days ago, I mentioned that a good friend of mine and his girlfriend broke up. I recently heard the other side of the story. I admit, my initial reaction to the news made me question her reasoning for ending the relationship, but I now realize how important it is for one to hear both sides of the story before coming to any conclusions.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
~Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)

Only hearing one side of the story made me feel... well, not quite angry, but I wasn't exactly happy about the situation. My friend is a good, sweet young man, so I couldn't understand why his now ex-girlfriend (who is also a friend of mine) broke up with him. However, after talking with her and hearing her thoughts and reasons, I can respect her decision. For the sake of both of my friends, I will keep details to a minimum, but I will say that things weren't the same for them. She felt like they were in a relationship simply for the sake of being in a relationship and nothing more. She felt that it was time for them to part ways and follow their own paths, and that it would be better for both of them in the long run. I can respect that. It's not my place to tell either of them how to feel. You shouldn't go down a path if you know in your heart that it isn't the right one for you. If you ignore that feeling, you'll undoubtedly miss out on something wonderful that God has planned for you. While it may be hard to say "goodbye" in any sense of the word, the parting of ways is a necessary part of life. God brings people into our lives for a reason, and He takes people out of our lives for a reason. We may not always know what that reason is, but we just have to trust Him because He knows best.

I'm glad that I had the opportunity to view both perspectives. I am in no way angry or upset with either of them (not that I really was to begin with... I was mostly just confused). But it really helps now that I have a much clearer picture. I will certainly be there for either of them if they need someone to talk to, and hopefully I can help them to see each others' points of view if need be. Not in a way that I infringe upon one or the others' privacy, but the knowledge I gained will help me know what to say.

Lord, I ask that You watch over my two friends and open their eyes to each others' thoughts and feelings so that they may come to a mutual agreement of peace and reconciliation. Lord, I also ask that You guide my words if for some reason I do need to give advice to them or anyone else, and that whoever receives it realizes that the words come from You, not me. Please watch over my family, friends and pets--keep them safe, strong, happy, and healthy. Please bless them with their hearts' desires, just so long as those desires follow Your plan. I pray that all of Your children learn to listen to all sides in the most unbiased manner as possible, and may Your wise and loving words flow through them. Please cleanse me of my sins, Lord, and continue to work through me and guide me forever. I love You, Lord, with all of my heart and soul and being, and I ask that that love be reflected to the rest of Your children. Thank You, Lord, for all that I have and all that I am, and thank You for Your eternal blessings, guidance, and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.