Doing what is right...

Every so often I find something from a Sunday reading that just sort of smacks me in the face. This past Sunday was one of those days. First, let me give you a preface of my mental state...

I have a friend with whom I have encountered some struggles and challenges the last few weeks. Some of the challenges have been my own as I have found myself experiencing some rocky mental and spiritual ground in the last months. Some have been due to the fact that our personalities, our communication styles, etc. are polar opposites. Anyway, after some significant lack of communication between us I just asked "Are we still friends cuz I have no idea where you are or if I can even talk to you?" I was assured that yes, I was still a valued friend, etc., etc.

So, now another 2 weeks had gone by and the communication patterns had not changed and I started to get mad...again. So, in church on Sunday I am sitting there trying to figure out if it is time to just throw in the towel, admit defeat, recognize that this friendship is one-sided and move on. Of course, my friend sits down next to me and we harmonize our way through the liturgy and the hymns which we both love to be able to do with the other. Then, the readings come.

2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13 (esp. vs. 13) "Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right."

Luke 21:5-19 (esp. 16-19 "You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."

Interesting. When I look back on my friendship with this person I can only say it is truly a "God thing." We are polar opposites. We drive each other crazy at times. Some of you may not believe this but I am not usually as "bold" as I was with this friend in pushing the issue...asking if he wanted to catch a drink, grab dinner, if he had time to chat when we encountered each other. I just felt like the hand of God was pushing me toward knowing this person. I don't regret that even though we have struggled, or maybe rather I have struggled.

Some have asked me if this struggle has been worth it. Some have asked, if I doubt the friendship, is it really reciprocal or am I being used? These are all good questions. After hearing Paul's words to the Thessalonians I realize that God has given me the task here...to love and care for someone who is not always easy to love and care for. He has set a task before me to be the constant in this persons life. No, I never feel used. I sometimes feel a bit taken advantage of but some of those are for very practical reasons and the foundation of our connection...that I can hang lights for his concerts or make sure the facilities are restored as they need to be after performances; very practical things that I know are appreciated in the grand scheme of things.

Luke's words also remind me that people do dumb things to each other, we betray each other, abuse each other, etc. We can be horribly wicked and hurtful especially when it comes to the people in our lives we care about. Our job, or rather MY job, is to look past that. To see a human soul in need of love and care and respect and building up. To see a forgiven child of God who does not have the same skills as I in loving and caring and communicating and possibly teach them some of those things. And, while they see Christ in me, I see Christ in them but in very different manifestations. Then, we begin to see how God works through each of us, though we are all different and don't always "get" each other.

So, I have chosen to put weariness aside and do what is "right." I will love and forgive and be patient and prayerful. God will bring all things around to His good and right purpose. What is right, is that I remember my friend is a child of God and worthy of my love and care, no matter what. I will endure. Is that what we do when people we love drive us crazy? We endure. Because really, we can.