Scripture Passage: Psalm 55:13-15

For it is not an enemy that reviled me—

that I could bear—

Not a foe who viewed me with contempt,

from that I could hide.

But it was you, my other self,

my comrade and friend,^e

You, whose company I enjoyed,

at whose side I walked

in the house of God.

Reflections:

How many times do you spend dwelling on the betrayals of someone you love?  It is easy to process the situation if a bad person  says something disgruntling.  You expect it.     If  they  rebuke you,   take a deep breath and turn around.   

But, it is very  painful to be with a loved one when they hurt your feelings because you cannot justify the difference in opinion.  The feud pierces straight to your heart.  You feel defeated.  

Squabbles between spouses are normal occurrences just as arguments fall between siblings or close friends.  The most difficult aspect of the fight is knowing that you walk along side in the house of God with the loved one yet you engage in confrontation with each other. 

 It is like meeting a dead end at that  moment.  Who do you turn to when the person you most love on earth misunderstand your intentions or make a mountain out of a molehill? 

Sometimes, it is not easy to calm down, more difficult to continue the walk with your loved one.  But, when you pray and the other person prays, somehow God will intervene to make it right again.  

In a fight like this, our youngest son came to me crying, "Who do you think is telling you all these negative things?" 

I asked, "Who do think? Tell me." 

He said, "It is the man downstairs."

I wondered, "There is a man downstairs?"  

He said, "Yes, he is beneath dirt." 

I said, "Gotcha. You are so right!" 

Never  underestimate the power of God speak through the mouth of the babe.  When you feel lost, do not discount listening to some unexpected word of wisdom from a child.  Do not limit what God can do to save you from the clutches of the devil when you seek Him.  

Prayer: 

Dear God, help us to seek you in prayer when we feel attacked by our loved ones.  Teach me to be like St. Francis, to understand versus to be understood, to hold no bitterness and resentment and to surrender the situation to You.  We do not have to feel love, to know that You love me.    You see all things.  Teach me to love with a Divine Heart, unafraid to be vulnerable and open to forgiving.  Amen.