tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post3876461996066057795..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Left HangingTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-4580701168405732742010-10-26T12:08:10.182-05:002010-10-26T12:08:10.182-05:00What an excellent point, Sherry! And beyond the di...What an excellent point, Sherry! And beyond the diminished returns we receive from our fictions, we often involve others who lose as well. As I was writing this, I kept flashing on the soldiers about to enjoin at the front, hearing one ask the other, "Why are we here?" and neither able to come up with anything better than, "Because of him..."<br /><br />I once heard a preacher call Absalom "the one-hit wonder who could have been a rock star." And in a world crying out for gifted people, it's a shame that so many are trapped in one-sided mirrors they can't break out.<br /><br />Thanks so much for this. You add a much-appreciated texture to the thought!<br /><br />Blessings always,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-25626940667913324692010-10-26T11:37:55.098-05:002010-10-26T11:37:55.098-05:00I ocassionally ran into clients whose crimes requi...I ocassionally ran into clients whose crimes required much thought and intelligence. I offered sometimes, that if they would turn to lawful pursuits, they would be wildly successful. We become trapped in our own fictions alas and miss the opportunities to both grow and succeed at the very thing we try to achieve by force and evil ways. Thanks Tim...good reminder.Sherry Peytonhttp://afeatheradrift.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-9448778131727289562010-10-25T23:10:46.218-05:002010-10-25T23:10:46.218-05:00Vikki, the thing that stands out in this story is ...Vikki, the thing that stands out in this story is Absalom is right to be angry at David's indifference--but he gets stuck there and never attempts to ease his pain by making peace. And I think of my own life and how often I've got stuck, too, never considering that those who've wronged me can repent and truly want to mend the tears that separate us. Meanwhile, the hurt hardens into resentment and the poison it produces backs up until I'm filled with it.<br /><br />It's natural not to want to hear their side, I think, for two reasons. First, what if our worst suspicions prove correct? What if they truly wanted to hurt us? How would we live with that? But I'm convinced most of us harm one another without intention. We may realize we're hurting the other, but that's not our motive. And when we realize the damage we've done, like David, we long to reconcile with those we've wounded. If it's true from "our side" of the story, it must be true very often from theirs. <br /><br />Which leads to the second reason we don't want to hear their side, because it's somehow easier--in the moment--to harbor resentment than forgive. The only problem with that is what comes of carrying resentments, namely, our own suffering.<br /><br />Absalom is one of those characters we know by name without really understanding his story. I confess until I really dug into it, I was clueless about much of it as well. But you're right. It is amazing, and it has much to teach us!<br /><br />Thanks for the thought. I believe there's some Absalom in all of us.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-46992403736205775832010-10-25T22:18:48.095-05:002010-10-25T22:18:48.095-05:00This is an amazing story! I have to admit that I ...This is an amazing story! I have to admit that I have never heard it before. I can certainly apply this in my own life many times over, for although I try not to hold resentment, I have to confess that I do in several areas of my experience. I try to see both sdes to any story, but sadly; I side with my self more often than I care to admit. I need to work on that!<br /><br />Thanks for this lesson, Tim.<br /><br />:)kkrynohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07727264476742817993noreply@blogger.com