Spirituality and Self Help
LOVE's Open House
Tough LOVE in Action
I was in town for the week with a full schedule counseling depressed, angry, frightened, searching souls for eight hours a day every day for six days.
My hosts were a couple who offered their home to lessen my expenses. I looked forward to a place where I could relax, recharge my batteries, have peace, and view a beautiful lake. I would leave their home in the morning, do my work, and return in time for dinner.
Three days had passed and every evening, beginning at dinner, their heated arguments, cursing, and threats began, creating a great deal of stress that left me completely exhausted and drained.
I tried being the minister, the spiritual advisor and friend. I tried every technique I knew, including prayer. Nothing seemed to make a difference, to register, to stick. I was working miracles with my clients but couldn�t get to first base with this couple.
The fourth day of work had been quite hectic, dealing with a family that had lost a son to suicide, a school presentation on anger management, clients financially troubled and others seeking their life�s purpose. When my day was done, I wondered what mood I would be met with when I reached my hosts� home.
Things had not changed. The familiar chill was in the air. You could have cut the tension with a knife. The table was set for dinner.
We were all seated and it began in full force. He kept threatening suicide; maybe he would kill her first.
On and on it went.
Inside I was screaming, What can I do? I have tried everything I know! From deep within me came, �What would LOVE do?�
All of a sudden I pounded both fists on the table. The dishes thumped up and down. I yelled, �I�ve had enough of this f--king horses--t! If you two want to kill each other, be my guests. I work hard all day in a stressful environment and need to have a place where there is peace. I am grateful you have tried to save me some money but you have caused me more stress than it is worth. I have tried to help you in every way I know, I can�t do any more. I am getting my things and moving to a hotel. I don�t need this horses--t any more! I�m outta here!�
I had never said that �F� word before. I felt possessed!
The strangest thing happened while I was acting like a crazy person on the outside, I had a deep stillness inside me that felt so solid nothing could disturb it.
I started to leave and both of them said, �Stop! We don�t want you to go.� They each apologized to me, looked at each other and began talking.
I stood there in awe! I had tried the kind, spiritual stuff and nothing worked. I cursed, and was nasty and they responded! I stayed.
They talked. All of us grew. It was the only way to connect with them so they would hear me.
I have since learned that when Caroline is acting upset on the outside and feels upset inside, it is Caroline�s stuff surfacing, needing attention. But when Caroline acts upset on the outside but is very still and calm on the inside, LOVE is using her to make a difference, to change things.
LOVE isn�t always beautiful, soft, and nice. Even Jesus had moments of anger, and turned tables over. If it was good enough for Him, it was certainly good enough for me.
LOVE lowered me so it could pick them up and raise them closer to each other.
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