You’ll be happy to note that my “meh” mood has been
improving as of late. I have now
progressed to a “huh” mood where things appear intriguing and fun, but the
energy to fully enjoy them is not quite there.
My goal for next week is to be in the “yeah” mood, where excitement is
more often paired up with interest… we shall see :)
 |
| Susi and I drinking Starbucks in honor of the 4th of July |
This past week has been a busy one with each day having its
own (and sometimes unexpected) visits, meetings, and surprises. I participated in a cookie fundraiser, co-hosted
the bible study at our new house, saw fireworks and drank Starbucks for the
4th of July, went roller skating, picked up friends from the airport (after
they had an emergency landing), played soccer, finally did some laundry, was
invited to dinner with two different families in the community, lost my house
keys (I mean, I temporarily misplaced them), had friends seek refuge in our
house after they got caught in a sudden downpour, made enough tea to make even
the British proud, and watched the Big Bang Theory. All in all, a hectic week.
On top of all this, I have been inadvertently thrown into a
storm of frustration, anger, hurt and misunderstandings. When you find yourself caught up in a storm
not of your own doing (ex. you are feeling the aftershock and emotions of an
event that happened between two friends), how do you handle it? Do you build a boat to whether the
storm? Hop on someone else’s boat? Cry for help?
Not say anything and just tread water?
Give up, succumb to the waves and drown?
And which, if any, is the right answer?
I have found out that at my core, I am a mediator. I will not only build a boat but I will
anchor my boat to those surrounding me, even if their boats are sinking
themselves and may pull me down with them.
I cannot, for the life of me, ignore the hurt, anger or frustration of
someone I know (nor can I ignore their joy and happiness). I’m reminded of Romans 12:9-21, especially verse
15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (NIV). And I will, for whatever reason, take on my
friends’ burden as my own, bear that weight on my shoulders, and suffer
alongside them. For me, it would go
against everything I believe in to not do this.
Even more so, when the issue is between two of my friends, I will not
choose one over the other but place myself on both sides, bearing the weight of
both perspectives. I don’t know if it’s
the wisest choice. I feel torn at times,
being pulled from both sides, tired of defending my friends while at the same
time agreeing that they acted in the wrong… However, given the choice to have a
do-over, I would choose the same thing.
I would willingly put myself there, between a rock and a hard place,
instead of taking the easy way out and picking a side. If Jesus is our mediator, and we are to act
and love in his likeness, than I too need to be a mediator (no matter how flawed
my imitation may be). God calls us to be
his peacemakers—please help me to find peace in myself so that I can help
others find peace as well.
Before I’m done, I just want to personally thank all the
mediators out there. I know what a
crappy hand life has dealt you. I understand
the blessing and the curse of feeling what those around you feel. I know that you struggle and that you think
you feel too much. I understand needing
to be in the middle in the hopes of finding peace. I get it.
And I just want to say, thanks.
And hang in there. Pretty soon,
your very own mediator will come around to help you bear that heavy weight on
your shoulders. Until then, I pray that
you may find comfort, solace and strength in the storm you are weathering. Thanks everyone and stay tuned!
No comments:
Post a Comment