Truthful And Loving

Got this message from a friend:

“Hi *endearment*, can we please follow the schedule in using the bathroom? Some people are being affected. Hehe. Take care. God Bless! 😊”

Awkward

I feel terrible.

Although it hit a nerve, I shift my focus on other things instead and read about a forming ball of tension within a group that can become somewhat offensive. Good thing it was diffused immediately.

I’m appaled. I wonder why?

Then I skimmed about the happenings in Mayon Volcano as it continue to erupt ashes and lava that dangerously affects the entire city and its people.

Why do I feel awful?

I randomly cited the possible reasons.

Is it because of the tension in GC? –Nah.

Errupting Mayon Volcano? –Nah.

Ahhh! It is because of my lack of discipline!

And to make it worse, I wasn’t able to recognize it myself and ask forgiveness. It took my friend to speak up and tell to my face how my lack of discipline affects them negatively.

After realizing how her statement affects me, I quickly apologize. Tried to make the statement light by emoticons but I couldn’t. I still feel heavy. I want to make excuses but I don’t have any. I think saying sorry is not enough. I feel like it was not enough. I’m hesitant to say “it won’t happen again” because knowing myself, it most likely would happen again. But I say it anyway. I’ll just try hard to keep up with it.

Tensions and things like this happens in real life. It is not always flowers and laughter and food. After all, what is life without disagreement and annoyance? It brings us closer together and builds strength in the relationship if we respond with love.

It is not easy to speak up about an offense made against you. So I commend my friend for correcting me. But it is not easy to receive correction either. No matter how it was told, pain will aways creep into your bones.

To borrow Nay Rhea‘s acronym, IINLI*.

IT IS NO LONGER I

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NLT

Because it is no longer I who lives but Christ, I can accept the correction not as an offense but love.

I’m worried how will I respond when I see her in the evening. There could be some awkwardness in the air. But to my surprise, there’s none. Not an ounce of resentment felt. We moved on and charged it to experience.

I’m glad to have friends who are truthful and loving. Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived is right when he said, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.”

I forgive you. I love you. Let’s move on.