balance

I was chatting with a friend of mine, about this dilemna that I've been confronted with repeatedly over the last few years. The gist of it (without the gory details) is that I'm a nurturing person (according to the friend), which draws people to me, especially people with problems.

The friend gently assured me, that I'm not wrong for wanting to distance myself from these people. That my wanting to keep those issues away from me was normal & healthy, and that they're drawn to me NOT because I reflect their issues, but because I'm self-possessed, and people are attracted to that about me. Thank you for that, you know who you are ;-)

Afterward, I thought about balance, and achieving that while being a nurturer, while maintaining my friendships, while still struggling as a human being to just continue to be, yanno? And I searched for something succinct to summarize what I was feeling. So here's my take - and someone else's interpretation::

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear ~ 1 Peter 3:15
Each of us can make a difference in someone's life ~ Upper Room
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.~ Galations 6:1

Christian Fellowship Devotionals also includes additional devotionals about balance