Unfriended

Life happens to the best of us. Things go south. Heated words are exchanged. Conflict arises. Connections dissolve. Flames dwindle. The best intentions are perceived as the biggest attacks. Bonds become barriers. Distance becomes the norm. Facebook become the standard. Friends become strangers.

Disagreements are like our fingerprints--inevitable.

I received an impromptu letter in the mail a few months back that felt like someone poured a mountain of salt in an open, stagnant wound. A place that I once called "home" wrote to inform me that my relationship status had been demoted. In their eyes, I was no longer affiliated by membership, but I moved to the "friendship role." My heart became convinced that my absence had created space for this entity to question my commitment. My self-worth collided with the tears that landed on the blanket of ink that I held in my trembling hands. I kept re-reading it until I couldn't make out the words any longer. My sorrow inadvertently erased the message, cause I could no longer see the print. My tears had drowned out the words, but my spirit was still crushed.

The personal offense reaffirmed underlying rejection. It bought trust issues to the forefront of my temples. The unleashed tension swelled. It felt like I had just been "served" with a summons to fight for my worth. It seemed cowardly. Even though, the letter stated that I would be moved to the "friend zone," I felt personally attacked. I felt "unfriended" altogether.

Did anyone know that I was in the fight of my life?
Did anyone notice that I had been long gone before I received the notice?
Did anyone care that I was imprisoned in a personal crisis?

Are we so busy ministering to the masses that we forget to minister to the assigned flock?
Are we so consumed with executing in excellence that we fail to notice that we aren't being excellent?
Are we cultivating a culture that invites the "hurting" to show up but aren't fully present to serve their needs?

What could've took me out emotionally, God used for my own good.

In a world of habitual, social "unfriending," God used this lesson to challenge my weakness and silence my reaction. Since then, my prayer has been--Lord, change my response!

Sometimes we need to see "the empty seats" like God sees them--flawed but still worthy!

Don't write people off in their wilderness season. Be found faithful on your servanthood post.

Pray.
Cover.
SHOW UP!

Be the REAL CHURCH!
What if "Jesus" sent you notice based on your actions, would he be justified in unfriending you?