Haters Gonna Hate

I recently posted some verses on Facebook and appreciated the encouraging comments from kindhearted family and friends. My post was in response to a hateful e-mail from someone – I was hoping that the verses might help others dealing with “difficult” people, but in the end, I had “Facebook regret” and felt like I had said too much.

“Stay away from (anyone) who is unloving and unforgiving; (who) slanders others and has no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.” (II Timothy 3:3) I have been trying to wrap my head around how to “stay away from” someone while at the same time walking in love and forgiveness towards them. Reading Matthew 5:44-46 from The Message sheds some light on the subject: “Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer.”

Because my situation involves a family member, I was drawn to the story of David and Absalom. Imagine having to hide from your own son because he is trying to kill you. But, in spite of this evil plot against him, David continued to love Absalom. His prayers for restoration of the relationship were never answered, but his deep love for his son was evident in his devastation upon hearing of Absalom’s death. (II Samuel 18:33) For me, the challenge lies in continuing to love even if the relationship is never restored.

Psalm 3 was written when David was trying to escape Absalom’s advances. David responded with the “energies of prayer.”

O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me.

So many are saying “God will never rescue him!”

But You O Lord, are a shield around me; You are my glory,

The One who holds my head high.

Victory comes from You, O Lord.

May You bless Your people. (vs. 1-3; 8)

There are times when we find truth in unlikely places. I don’t listen to much pop music, but Taylor Swift’s song “Shake It Off” helps add some levity to my current situation, as I seek God’s help in responding to “haters.”

“And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate

Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

I shake it off, I shake it off!”

With God’s help, I can “shake it off” and love my enemies. “You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Matthew 5:48 MSG

God's Unexpected Surprises

"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) I have always tried to be careful not to interpret this verse as if God is going to give us everything we want. I think it means that when we delight in Him, His desires become our desires.

This blog was inspired by a family of deer that has taken up residence in our salmonberry patch. It catches me by surprise every time I see them grazing on the grassy knoll just outside our front door. One day the realization hit me. When I was growing up, we went to the Smoky Mountains every summer. When we would spot a deer grazing in a field, my dad would park the car so we could watch it. Perhaps it was because we lived in the city, where we seldom saw any wildlife, but my entire family seemed mesmerized by these beautiful creatures.

I find it so incredible that decades later, God would bless me with an entire family of Sitka Deer living in my backyard. Coming out to graze at my front door. I am humbled by the realization that God gives the desires of our heart, even when we don't think to ask.

This past week God has given me so many unexpected gifts: The generous gift of sky miles that enabled me to be part of celebrating a dear friend's well-lived life. The blessing of time spent with my precious daughter and her husband. Being in South Florida just in time to celebrate another good friend's 60th birthday. Seeing quite a few "old" friends in spite of the brevity of my trip. And then, on my way home, what could have been a frustrating 52-hour layover because of a winter storm, brought the added surprise of seeing a friend who "just happened" to be visiting Anchorage at the same time.

If we truly believe that God ordains our steps (Psalm 37:23), then surely nothing that we view as an inconvenience or roadblock catches Him by surprise. A wise friend used to say that every moment is in God's plan...every breath we take, every place we go, every person we meet. And it seems even more evident when it happens unexpectedly, don't you think? I love it when God surprises us! "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it." (Psalm 37:5)