RELATIONSHIPS October 8, 2007 Issue

JUST HIT DELETE

MELANIE HAHN BALL

SO OFTEN, HURTFUL OR INSENSITIVE COMMENTS can prompt an emotional reaction, and a retaliatory response may create a rift that takes much time and effort to repair. With three children progressing through high school, middle school, and elementary school, I've had ample opportunities to be impressed and hurt by the unkindness of others. And also to elevate my understanding of human relationships in the process.

At one point, one of the girls on my daughter's gymnastics team expressed such repeated and forceful hatred toward her, our family, and even our religion, that I finally wrote a long letter to her mother, enumerating the many hurtful comments and actions that had taken place over the past year. While writing the letter felt justifiable, I knew that it would not result in healing. After keeping the letter in the car for several weeks, I threw it away and resolved to handle the situation through prayer.

At the time, it seemed impossible even to speak with this girl or her mother in a cordial manner. But I prayed constantly to love everyone involved—to forgive them and drop resentment. I also prayed for practical ways to express God's pure love, regardless of personal histories.

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