Day 81

Tensions were high.

We were stressed, overwhelmed, and tired.

We snapped.

Well, I snapped first.  Then both of our attitudes went downhill.  Hurt people hurt people, and after everything we were going through, the last thing we needed was a fight.  The last thing we needed was to lose each other.  The last thing I needed was to hurt a friend.

And so I apologized.  I told her what hurt me.  And I asked her what hurt her.  Genuinely.

Friendship isn't based on the people you see the most.  Or the people that agree with you all the time.  Or how much you have in common.  Friendship is based on those who stick beside you when you're ugly.  When you're mean.  And when you're tired.  When you deserve a friend the least.  And true friendship gives grace.  She gave me grace today, and that is an act of love.

It was around noon that I left for lunch, the first one out.  (By the way, don't text and drive.  Not only is it illegal, it's illegible.)  And I asked her…

1:07 PM                u wantanythunv’?

1:07 PM                No thanks. I appreciate the offer

1:10 PM                You have a quality that will help your marriage last. Your willingness to fix situations will take you a long way.  Any man who gets the honor of marrying

1:10 PM                you will be so blessed.  You are a great person.

1:10 PM                Scratch great, wonderful

1:16 PM                That means a lot coming from you because I think the same of you. You are important to me and I love you.

1:25 PM                I love you more sister

She didn’t have to say any of that to me.  And yet, she did.  Upon grace, she gave me even more love.

Last night while listening to an Andy Stanley sermon, he said this:

"I'm not trying to be right...I'm trying to reconcile!"

How much better our relationships would be if we lowered our pride and let our concern for others rise.  How much better it would be if we let go of being right and set our hearts on being reconciled.  As difficult as it is to push that part of us down, reconciliation is worth it, because it gives us something our pride will never be able to…love.