A day late but still an important wonderment passed on to me on Sunday. So here is Monday’s Reflections on Tuesday.

I am wondering…So loving one another, when someone accuses us of a horrible thing and has no well wishes for us, we are still to love them. I understand we should still be respectful and kind. However, is there a point we stop providing to them financially, with food, and our extra time? Do we just keep turning cheek to cheek? There may be a point it wears us out.

Pastor Deb: Another wonderment with so many layers. This is not the first time I have had conversation around this wonderment. On one hand, yes. That is what I preached on Sunday. Jesus says to love one another just as he has loved us. This is his commandment. Yes, this is very hard, especially when you have been deeply hurt by someone. We are called to demonstrate the love of Christ to all. That is a lot of work. But as I asked on Sunday, what does that look like?

This leads to the second part of your wonderment. Yes, being respectful and polite is part of choosing love as well as praying for the other, not gossiping about them or speaking harmful words against them. However, as we reflect on Jesus’ words as a whole, I don’t believe we are called to continue in toxic relationships. In fact, I believe we are called to get out of harmful relationships and not enable others to continue to bring us down. Sometimes this means respectfully cutting ties with others. Do you keep helping them? I don’t know the whole story so I can’t comment 100% but I would wonder if it is healthy for one to continue in such a relationship.

Give me a call if you would like to visit more. Thanks for being brave enough to share your thoughts and struggles.