Inner Rose

Trust is a difficult thing for those trashed by society. A friend sought me out and shared many things. What choice did I have but to listen, to empathize, to comfort, to encourage, to reflect back what he was sharing and what I thought he wanted me to understand What choice did I have but to empathize and listen some more... to encourage... to respect... And I was asked What do you think about... (political opinion which is currently a very hot topic, which we had differing viewpoints on, but which I felt was irrelevant to not only our conversation but to our relationship) I chose to say that is irrelevant.  It doesn't matter what I think.  That is not what this relationship is about.  And I think I was right to do so because, in this instance, his emotions were so caught up into his vulnerability and his trauma that it would serve him no good.  My friendship with him was not one in which I was to point out differences.  His wounds were too fresh and vulnerable.  My

A few months (or more?) ago I received an email asking me to consider being a precinct delegate. Can you represent the viewpoint of (those in your area)? In my mind, I calmly replied, "No."  I don't understand or agree with the opinions of a number of those in my area.  Yesterday, I was at a small market.  I pointed out a large piece of meat priced at $3.55 - weighing over three pounds @ $3.99 a pound.  Every piece was priced at that remarkable rate.  As the woman instructed a worker to re-price them, the worker said, "You mean someone was actually stupid enough to think that piece of meat would be priced at that rate?" I am reminded of prevailing attitudes...which I could not represent. And I recall: "Because of the increase of iniquity and idolatry, the love of many will grow cold." And I think, do people realize, when they chose to angrily stand on platforms rather than on love in reaction to things they disagree, they are as "a noisy

45 minutes it took! 45 minutes to snarl and lambast and take each petty annoyance and "grievious" offense and spread them like slather all over the face of my darling beloved with words like spit upon his face. 5 years into the marriage it was!  And 45 minutes.  I could see the clock. We stood in front of the stove.  Bob, carefully listening, saying not a word. I, steam before my eyes and a flush to my face - letting him HAVE IT! Finally, I wound down and stopped speaking. Arms still not crossed, face not flushed, Bob related calmly to me as he asked, "Are you done?" I said I was.  Embarrassed, chagrined that it was now his time to talk and mine--to listen. "Well, there are things that I don't like about you as well. However, God has shown me that he is not working on those things. So I have chosen not to focus on them. And I would appreciate it if you would do the same thing for me as well." You could have heard a pin drop. And now, y

Mom Lois used to say, "We are of the Kingston Russells."  To which I would respond, "do you mean the Russell family lived in Kingston (Ontario)?"  "Yes.  We had relatives there.  Grandma (Leda) used to visit them and stayed with them when she was going to music school in Toronto (around the turn of the 20th century). I looked at the map.  Did Grandma take the train?  And, if so, why didn't she just take the train from London to Toronto?  Ah well...  Maybe it was true.  And then I found this..  http   en   wikipedia dot org   wiki  Kingston  Russell.  Is that what they meant by the particular phrasing that she often repeated? We are still at a time in which, "WHO" and "WHAT" you are, to some, means so much. ? who knows ? Friends would say to me, "Oh I WISH I could see Benny Hinn (and others) before I die!" On one hand, I know they were speaking from a point of great emotional poverty of spirit and devastating abuse and t

It is incredibly harder to walk in integrity than to grab for what isn't yours. (my quote) Talons like claws had climbed up my back and shredded, defrauded and defiled. In great anger and duress I cried out to God. VENGEANCE! "I will have mercy upon whom I will have mercy."  And then: "I've had to forgive you of more than you need to forgive him."  (ouch!) gulp It was not what I wanted to hear. In the end I finally learned to bless those who curse and pray for those who despitefully use me. It was a hard won fight but worth the battle.  I am glad I have changed.  It was worth the time.

A prophet spoke one time early in our marriage "a harness race horse and a steady Clydesdale and the Lord is going to cause your steps to be in tandem." It has been done. Thanks be to God!