To Change or Not To Change

Lately, I have found it very difficult to deal with a family friend. No matter what I say, it seems, I aggravate this person. At that point, my being older by almost 20 years, I tend to speak my piece and expect some respect. This doesn't work. It just accelerates and agitates the both of us.

Lately, I have written two posts which, when I look back on them, make me feel I should heed my own words.

One post was about focus. In this case, I should stop focusing on what I wish I could change in this person. I should, instead, focus on what I like or admire or respect about this person. At that point, I should also focus upon prayer. I should pray for help, not necessarily for this person to change the way I think he should, but that I should change by not thinking I know what the Lord has in mind for this person. No matter how old I am, I am still learning, each day, how to let the Lord work in my life. I do seem to be a very slow learner (sigh).

The other post was about lists, particularly an It's-Done list. In this case, I should think about the nice things this person has done, not about what I wish he had done or that I wish he would do. Again, I need to pray for help in this part of my spiritual life, too.

Sometimes, just writing these posts seems to ease my burden. Folks who do not blog, could do something similar with a written journal. Or, as I sometimes do, just chat with a dear friend who is on the same spiritual track as we are, or with a spiritual advisor. God has given us many ways to ease daily troubles, and many voices to guide us in those ways. I just need to keep my heart and mind open and listen for those words, no matter whose voice speaks those words.

Father, thank you for all the help you have given me in the past; I'm placing this worry and my stubbornness on this issue, in your hands, hoping I will have the wisdom to heed your guidance, and trusting you to work on the situation in your own way and your own time.