“Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].”
Proverbs 19:11 AMP
Today was a beating. It was one of the hardest I’ve had in a while and the hardest part was watching my daughter struggle with a heavy suitcase.
As I’ve written before, Alathia means truth and the one thing that upsets her more than anything is deception. Today, an adult who professes to be a believer and one whom she’d come to trust and respect, treated her with deception and unkindness. An adult treated a 17 year old in an incredibly immature, unprofessional, and petty way. To say Vance and I were upset is an understatement.
But Alathia – she was more adult than all of us. She came to us for counsel. We offered advice. After a few tears, she dried her eyes, decided on a peaceful path, asked for her dad to help her close that chapter with grace, and told us tonight: “after tonight, I’m done talking about it. Please don’t bring it up again.”
Today, Alathia learned something it took me until my 40s to learn. She learned how to fire her committee – the “voices” in our heard that are negative. I sit here writing while she is laughing. She asked to watch a funny movie – The Help – to end this day. We gladly bought it.
Words wouldn’t come to me all day today. Every time I tried to write I just couldn’t. Then finally I understood why. Today was about how He would use Alathia to teach me about offense.
Offense – from late Middle English: from Old French offens ‘misdeed’, from Latin offensus ‘annoyance’, reinforced by French offense, from Latin offensa ‘a striking against, a hurt, or displeasure’; based on Latin offendere ‘strike against’. (Oxford Languages Online)
Alathia was wronged today. A misdeed was done to her. She was mistreated. Yet, Alathia showed good sense. She CHOOSE to overlook an offense. It wasn’t easy but she did it. She’s hurt – yes – but she wrote a different ending.
Today – my girl was a living proverb to me. My heart hurts for her. The lesson she learned today was costly, but I have no doubt gold will come forth.
Father – thank You for Alathia. Father I hurt for her, but I know You see how she was wronged and I know that You are her defender. Touch her heart. Restore her hope. Protect her from a root of bitterness. Forgive me for the anger I feel. Bless the woman that wronged her. You alone are good and You Keep doing good. Your leadership in my life- and in Alathia’s- is perfect and You alone can be trusted.
Daily Reading: Proverbs 19-21
June 9, 2022