When people hurt me, I want to turn away. Who doesn’t? Most of us don’t WANT to stay in a situation where we’ve been hurt. And when we bump into people who’ve hurt us before, we’re not exactly delighted to see them.

If we've chosen to slide, we can also choose to put on the brakes. We can choose to turn, to adjust what we're doing, and change the direction we're going. Jesus knew that Peter would slide and He gently encouraged him.

Arguments suck. As an enneagram 9, I avoid them at all cost, lol. But sometimes they just can’t be avoided. Does conflict mean our relationship is over? As a 9, sometimes it feels that way. 27 years ago, my husband and I agreed to not threaten divorce, and it’s worked for us so far.

It’s easy to know we shouldn’t talk bad about other people. But what about when we tear ourselves down? When we discourage, discount, demean, and dismiss our own worth or ability...even if we’re ‘only’ talking inside our head, we still hear our internal voice. And sometimes it can be pretty loud.

I’m sorry.

What do we do if people won’t say it?

Do we hold it against them?

Do we wait for someone to humble themself?

Or do we decide to make a change for ourselves?

A quiet, internal shift of choosing to forgive.

Sadness lingers

Maybe you don’t walk with your mom anymore

Maybe it’s been years, or days

You’re single and there’s no one to prompt your littles to love you extra special

Maybe you long for motherhood yourself

And though you’ve tried, there’s no baby to hold

We like to think bearing God’s image is something we control. As if it’s up to us to do it...if we’re being “good” people. I think it’s something else completely.