I suppose everyone has one of those people in there lives.  The person who makes life so hard, who can move you to tears with their biting comments, who makes you just want to go back to bed and stay there until they're gone, until you are once again surrounded by those who love you most.

My battle with this particular person seems to be on going, with no end in sight.  A few weeks back I was convicted that I was harboring much bitterness toward this person, not that perhaps they didn’t deserve it.  But God revealed to me that this was only hurting me.  Then on Sunday in SS Class I was convicted again, I later chatted with my best friend who was sitting next to me in class, laughing that we had both felt as though the teacher was speaking right to us.  And resolved to continue praying and work on loving our “unloveables”. 

I’m now struggling with having to see said person again face to face.  Having to be in that house surrounded disapproval.  Knowing that I am not seen, but only my failures.  I nearly had a break down yesterday at the mere thought of having to face her again.

But this morning (as always) God was here.  As I prayed for my children, verses leapt off the page.  I was again praying through The Power of a Praying Parent.  The topic today was unforgiveness.  I quickly jotted down the references to the verses to look up later.  When I did I grudgingly admitted to myself and God that I had not been praying for her, had not been trying to forgive her.  But was allowing the bitterness and fear to come back and over take me.  I don’t want to live in darkness but in the light, I do not want to live in fear, but in the security that God is in control and taking care of me.  I want the light of God to shine through me and into the others around me.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling, slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

“Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing to make him stumble.  But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded him”

1 John 2:10-11 NIV

“You have heard it said love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes the sun to rise on the evil and good, and sends rain in the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:44-45 NIV