Happy Monday!
A friend’s advice brings us today’s word-of-the-week…
RESPONSIBLE
“You can’t be responsible for someone else.”
My friend’s right. You and I can’t be responsible for self-destructive choices made by others, though some people will try to manipulate us into that unhealthy position.
There’s a line, I think, between caring about someone and taking responsibility. If you’ve ever been close to someone who’s traveled a darkness such as addiction or mental illness you know how tough it can be to locate that line. Between a helping hand and a handout. Between guidance and insistence. Between assisting and enabling.
Agape. Unconditional. Sacrificial. Love.
I keep thinking Jesus was serious about the sacrificial part, that loving and caring for someone might occasionally cost me something. Of course I’m not responsible.
Doesn’t mean it’s okay to simply turn away. And often I have no clue what that means.
It’s Monday. Maybe a good day to ask God how to care better for the difficult people.
Have a great week!