Hello friends,

Yesterday was a very emotional day for me.  We had a family gathering to celebrate my cousin graduating from high school.  There were several family members there to talk with that I hadn’t seen in a while.  To tell the truth, I was not feeling social, but I always try to talk to as many of my family as I can.

I can’t remember if I mentioned my brother-in-law on here or not, but let me tell you a little about Shawn.  Before he married my sister we got along great. It felt like we both understood our relationship was about teasing my sister and making sure she was happy.  After their wedding he suddenly wasn’t interested in our usual banter. (It literally happened overnight). Over the years, he transitioned from being indifferent to my presence to having animosity towards me. I know it’s insecurity, he doesn’t like sharing my sister with anyone, especially me.  Yesterday was even worse.

Back to the party.  I made sure I drove myself.  I knew Marie and Shawn would probably be late which adds to my anxiety.  Throughout the party Shawn kept giving me the evil eye which was worse than the stink eye that he normally gives me.  I tried my best to ignore his looks, I even tried to leave him and my sister alone.  Before I left I went to find Marie to let her know I was leaving.  After I told her, Shawn looked at her and asked if she wanted to go too since she only came to talk to me.  (This is where something inside me broke.) Marie responded that we had hardly spoken to each other, to which I calmly patted him on the shoulder and said it was all thanks to him.

I left the party and texted my good friend Beatrice.   When she called me back she reminded me of his insecurities and not to take it personally.  It’s REALLY hard not to, but I know she’s right.  His insecurities are not specifically about me, but it still hurts.

This morning I am struggling with knowing the Christian response to this.  Do I ignore it as I have been for nearly 12 years? Or do I approach him about it since it seems to be escalating?  Or do I see if yesterday was an exception and he goes back to ignoring me without the hostility?  I am attending a cookout today that he will also attend, so perhaps I will see how that goes.

My apologies for not having much encouragement in this post, I’m trying to find verses that help with this situation, but none completely align.  I do not think verses about how to treat evildoers is accurate.  Shawn is not evil, just depressed and insecure.  He doesn’t like to share Marie.  The best verse I can find is: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thanks for reading g friends, and please pray for me.

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

Liz Allen