‘I can not forget her not acknowledging me at church last Sunday,’ She said. ‘We have known each other 20 years yet she passed me like a ship in the night,’ She continued. ‘I speak to her without fail,’ She noted for the record.

‘I call text and message my friend yet he does not respond,’ He said. ‘Calling and texting works both ways how hard is it to pick up a phone,’ He angrily gestured. ‘Apparently, my friend wants an end to the friendship,’ He said sadly.

Hurtful words seem savory and salty when uttered later to become rancid. Love is lost on assumptions and imagination. Our Flag of being wronged is held high. We showed them. No one will tread on us. Lonely we are for the false victories that forgiveness heals.

Walking in our skin is enjoyable and deadly. We are adults with all the rights afforded thereunto. We do not like bullies. We take up for ourselves. We defend our dignity. We imagine slights. We judge our friends by our conspiracy theories. We stand on our soapbox and defend our honor with strong words of criticism. Doors shut love is lost.

‘But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever smite thee on they right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away the coat, let him have thy cloak also. Matt 5:39-48

Fun to talk about and hard to do.

Joseph forgave his brothers who threw him into the pit and left him for dead. Forgiveness is the milk and honey of relationships. Through our eyes, we do no wrong. The snapshots our friends carry in their wallets and purses tell a different tale.

Getting your mind right yields good fruit. Speak less listen more. Empathy is the key…