Tara and Angie- Doing good to their enemy

Yesterday at Together with Friends Day Camp in Taylors Falls, I was the Bible lesson teacher.  Our story was about a Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his slave (Matthew 8 and Luke 7).  This centurion was an enemy, part of the system which enslaved the Jews and yet the he was also respectful and kind.  Jesus healed his servant and praised his faith. 

I tell you who hear me:
Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
           Jesus, Luke 6:27-28

I began my story this way: 
"I wish I could say that I was the hero of this story but I can't.  I was the enemy...."

I went on to tell how I had been sick and uncoordinated and no one knew why or how to help me.  How I'd become jealous of athletic people, especially pretty, thin, athletic girls. 
So hurt and so jealous that I came to hate them.  I never said, "I'm your enemy."  But I was.
Enter the hero- Tara- a pretty, athletic lady who helped me come all the way back for myself.
And after she left, God sent Angie, my physical therapist who is helping me release my old pain and coordinate all my parts.  Of course, she's a beautiful, athletic dancer.

God never sends me the ugly old healers.
Nope.
God always sends the pretty, athletic ones for me.
Because as much as my legs and back need help,
my heart needs to heal, too.

The goodness of my enemies has changed my life and my heart, I said.

"Let's give a round of applause to Tara and Angie- the pretty, athletic girls!"
And we all clapped while I cheered.

Rise

Get quote from a Will Dailey song:

Just like when you were fallen down
I will be there when you rise


This is my prayer for myself today that I will live to see my days renewed, will be able to release my fallen down state, and be truly present for my rise.

Choosing presence in happiness is a discipline just as surely as choosing presence in suffering is.

Safe People

My new counselor, Karen, recommended a book by Cloud and Townsend, Safe People.  I've spent the last 6 weeks reading and digesting it.

A couple great quotes to share:

...[W]e can't let go of anyone until we can feel what is called ambivalence- good and bad feelings- toward them.  That's what letting go and forgiveness are all about.  (Chapter 8)

We are limited to giving what we have received, and no more.  Remember the widow's mite.  There will be needs you can't meet in your safe people, and places they need to go spiritually where you haven't yet set foot.  God has someone else ready to help them. (Chapter 12)


I have also been pondering how both of these quotes apply to my relationship with myself.  I just feel both good and bad feelings toward myself and I am foolish to ask people to give me what they haven't received.

Very good book.