When is enough, enough?

How long is long enough to overlook the ways someone is trying to take advantage of you?  How long do you shrug something off, choose to look away or turn the other cheek.  How long do you try to feel sorry for them, have mercy on them or even try to help them when all they do is continue to assume the worst, play mind games or even full-on insult you?

All is NOT fair in love and war.

I've had more than my share of fairness.  And quite honestly, I can handle the abuse.  However, it's when my children are put in the middle that I draw the line.  They are innocent by-standers that should not have to endure the petty arguments of adults.

I've spent more than enough time trying to wrap my brain around a reasonable compromise in effort to keep the peace.  I'm leaving that energy here in this blog tonight.  No more!  I wash my hands of it.  It's pointless to try to do the right thing if you're only going to get stabbed in the back.  Even worse if your children have to carry the knife!

And yet -- I simply cannot harbor this hurt, anger or disbelief.  I choose to work through this conflict with forgiveness in mind.  Why?  Not because the Bible tells me so.....  But because it's just dang good advice.  The Bible is actually full of dang good advice.  It's a mental health manual!  I am letting go of negativity because it is best for ME.  It has nothing to do with the other person but everything to do with my own well being.  Sound selfish?  Perhaps.  But sometimes you have to be a little bit selfish in order to be selfless later on when it really matters.

So bring it Mr.Miserable!  You may wish your worst nightmare on me but there's not a darn thing you can do to make that happen.  I'm sorry life hasn't been kind to you but that doesn't mean you can spoil mine.  I hope that you can some day see all the ways God wants to bless you if you will only take a moment to let Him - and quit trying to do life your way.  

Mark 4:24-25
“Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”