Overlooking Me to See You

You know how certain people in life have a label on them titled "Fragile: Handle with Care"? Regardless of the words you choose or your facial expressions, they play the defensive and are skeptics of your meaning. Usually those people have been hurt by others, doubted, subjected to ridicule by those who should have accepted them, and they are hesitant to make themselves truly vulnerable and trust anyone. Highly sensitive people, I call them. For them, overlooking an offense doesn't come without high sacrifice, because regardless of what you say or how you say it, everything is about them and their feelings. Most people have one or two of these individuals in their lives (if not more). And even though we may be called to be in such relationships, these people still drain you.

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Prov. 19:11

And then there are those friends who uplift your spirit. They are so outward focused that you can just be yourself (and they can be vulnerable t00). You don't have to double-back and explain or preface every phrase because they know you and understand your heart. You can laugh, cry, and express your fears without risk of being exploited or criticized. They hold you accountable because they truly care about your spirit and want what's best for you.

I am blessed by so many people in my life who are just that. I can turn myself inside out and they don't cringe, judge, or take personal offense. I can trust them to keep my heart safe and not expose it as something other to a listening ear. They are the dearest and truest friends.

I can't help but think that heaven will be comprised of these relationships solely. No masks, no misunderstandings, no self-centered sensitivities, no relational fears.

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Prov. 17:9