I love world cup.
I love Uruguay.
I love Nikolas Lodeiro.

Today I did the smartest thing I've done in awhile. I suppose you will need some backround on this, but I shall try to make it brief.

Lately a friend of mine has been changing. Someone I knew as fun, good natured, lovable, and beautiful, has started to become spiteful, bitter, angry, and rude. There is little room for love when a grudge (unknown) is in the room. Anyways, as of late this friend has been making comments that not only offend me, but more importantly, they grieve my spirit. I'm trying to keep this vague for two reasons, 1. I never want to change someones opinion about someone else for the worse, and 2, it's not necessary to be specific for my point to get across.
For some examples:

My team in soccer won quite a few games, and then we had a short losing streak. 3 games in a row we lost. After the third game, I was talking to my buddy Sarah about what we could have done to play better. I probably sounded like I was complaining, but I was just trying to talk it over with my teammate to see how we could improve. In hindsight, I should have waited until we left to mention anything. Anyways, this particular person ended up telling me off in school about it. Calling my team a bunch of whiners and complainers who are too cocky and deserve to lose, blah blah blah. We hadn't even played against this person's team, in fact, they had lost their game too. I said something along the lines of "I just wish I had played better" and they responded with, "You are cocky. Get over it." (interjection, I HATE the phrase 'get over it', not only is it insensitive and rude, but it's also ridiculous. I listen to people complain all the time, and I try hard not to be a complainer [this and my journal are the places I unload on], so if I say something I obviously care about it, and you telling me to get over it, will not in fact, result in me getting over it. Quite the opposite really, I will just be annoyed with you.) I was too shocked to say anything at that point, I mean, this person was my friend! Then, that night at youth, Sarah turned to the person and asked how their game went, and they said they lost, and Sarah said "oh I'm sorry." That's it, all she said, right there. This person again, "get over it". And freaked out on Sarah, bashing our team once again for 'caring too much about a game'.

Wait. Hold up a minute.

This person is known for being angry after games. This persons punches the wall if the other team scores. They have punched someone in the face during a game before.
Sarah is the nicest person I know, she is kind and compassionate. Heck, when we won the championship last night and I congratulated her she said "Don't get too excited." Because she didn't want anyone to feel bad for losing. She is in reality, the most Christ-like person I have met. That's why I love her.
So why is the wall-punching person yelling at Sarah for 'being too invested in the game' and being 'cocky' and a 'baby'?
I was so frustrated when they said that to her, I honestly wanted to slap this person across the face. That was not okay.

Anyways, lately I've been pondering these things, and what to do about it. I consulted Sarah about it, without using this person's name and being even more vague than I am being now, because I trust her advice. I told her that I felt like I couldn't be friends with this person anymore. She told me to pray about it and just put a little distance between us and to give it time, maybe it's just a stage, and to maybe hint at it a little, but use caution. (come on, don't you just love her?!).

At any rate, I got home last night, after winning the game against this person's team, with the knowledge that I might have to deal with this again, and I did the smartest thing I have ever done. I grabbed a note card and wrote out nine verses. Wanna see?

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice..." -Proverbs 2:6-8
"For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will guard you. Understanding will watch over you to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things..." -Proverbs 2:10-12
"Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." -Proverbs 3:3
"Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you." -Proverbs 9:8
"If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it." -Proverbs 9:12

I folded it up, and put it in my pocket. This morning on the bus I was texting the person, and they made a remark. "at least I'm not a huge flirt." What a loaded thing to say. I replied, "haha oh really? And who is?". I asked, and I shouldn't have. "denae. sometimes you. uhmm and alot of other girls haha".
Punch to the gut, or what? Uncalled for. I don't flirt. Honestly. I see no reason to lead on anyone. I guess talking to a guy is considered flirting. I never talk to them in private, or whatever. I barely say anything to them, and when I do, I'm usually just making a joke. Not that I need to defend myself.
At any rate, this made me angry. I was about to text this person back in wrath, but then I remembered the notecard. So I pulled it out and read it, prayed a little, and then thanked God. I put my phone away and didn't respond at all to the person. I exercised restraint. Hooray!!!!!
So I'm going to keep doing this until I no longer need the notecard.
Why?
Because I want to be gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, full of mercy and rich in lovingkindness. Just like Jesus. I want to be better than I am. So go ahead, call me out on things, and I will test it and try it, to see if it is true. If it is, then I owe you thanks, and if it is not, then I will try to forget it.

What do you think? Handled well? Anything you would have done differently? Any advice?

I have the privilege of knowing some very wonderful people. People who can, in the slightest gesture or word, make my day, and they don't even know it. I love that. I love these people. One nice text, or a hug, or even just a smile. Perfect. I only know a few, but I relish their friendship. There is nothing like having someone you trust completely. I don't even have to pour out all my troubles to them, in fact, I rarely do, and yet they are more helpful than the people I do bare my soul to.

Yesterday I did something for my buddy, (I'm not going to tell you because it's not really relevant, or necessary) and she sent me the best text in the whole wide world. "Haha. You are so great! For real. Thank you so much! You don't even know! : ) love you too." Yeah. Made my life. It doesn't really seem like much, but to me it means the world.

Today I was sad and just down because I failed my chemistry test. I mentioned it in passing to my friend. As I was walking to my bus she came up behind me and grabbed my hand. It was such an innocent and beautiful thing to do.

Two completely different situations, with two different people, and yet they both managed to make a lasting impact. I love my people, I really do.