Gracious. Kind. Courteous. Pleasant.
Why is it so darn hard. I mean really. Can’t we all get a long. Can’t we just be kind.
Well, it is hard. So hard that its my 2024 word of the year. I truly, truly struggle with this. But not with everyone. I struggle with be gracious to people who rub me the wrong way or people I feel wronged by or people who irritate me. In most situations, I extend grace. But, I eventually, when someone takes and takes, I get to the end of my rope. I struggle with the ongoing extension of grace. Especially, when its a one way road.
And that is where I’m at. At the end of a very long rope of repeated grace and overstepping of boundaries. Oh, forget overstepping the boundaries. Its more of a complete disregard of boundaries. A complete disregard of anything outside of what suits and benefits them. I feel done. I feel drained. I feel like I can’t go on being gracious. And, honestly, between you and me, I’ve already not been gracious. I’ve already been a little too direct- which for this self-admitted direct/blunt person, is sayin’ something.
As I sent in my dining room in contemplation, I see this sign. I picked it because I like the Bible verse. And, we have bees. So, I had to have it.
The truth is words can build people up and they can tear people down. They can be like honey to the soul. The opposite is also true. They can be like vinegar and add a bit of bitterness. It reminds me of the episode of Scrubs in season one, where the bad day and unkind words/attitude passes from character to character. I know my actions have an impact on others. It can have an impact beyond what I see.
So, what do I do with the relationship that keeps taking and taking. How do I kindly set boundaries? I’m still going to work through that. I’m going to remind myself to be firm but kind. I will do things to help decrease my frustrations. Above all, I remember that thankfully, God knows and understand that I struggle with this. He is willing to extend His Grace to me when I mess-up. So, each time I take that deep breath and then a gracious words come out, I know he’s pleased with my progress. And, when the opposite occurs; I know, that as I repent and continue to work on this, His Grace, will forgive and allow me to try again. I will continue to grow.
Tales of the Working Mom 