Clash of the Hearts

When we entrust to God those who have clashed with us, something may indeed change within them, but our own heart is already on a road of peace. ~ Brother Roger

So often when we have people who we dislike, it is hard to love them. Something does happen though, when I begin to pray for people who drive me crazy. It should be no surprise when the heart that is changed is not theirs, but my own.

There is a lady in my church who is quite unlovable at most moments. She has a mental illness and all sorts of issues that go along with her particular situation. One minute she can be kind and the next, angry. She has yelled at me and at other times told me I was a nice person. For the most part, I let it roll off me. One night, she asked me for a ride home. I had heard rumours that she sometimes would not get out of the car or ask to stay overnight with whoever attempted to drive her to the boarding house where she lives. I declined. I turned over that decision many times in the weeks to come. She had attempted to shame me, saying I was a bad person.

The next time she asked me to drive her home, I agreed. I have driven her now many times but tried to keep good boundaries in doing so. On occasions when I have to get up early the next morning, I have to say I will do so but that she needs to get out of the car immediately when we arrive at her place. To my great surprise, she honours that request. I find that it is my own heart that has changed. She cannot help the way she is, but I can. I don’t always feel up to driving her, but when I do, I sometimes even feel blessed by the encounter.

God has a funny way of working….and answering our prayers.

Peace,

Suzanne