Who Do You Want To Get Revenge On?

The girls who bullied me in middle school and high school. The guy from the high school football team who humiliated me in front of our class and said I didn’t matter and sucked at life. The girl who was supposed to be my friend and betrayed my trust. The first guy that broke my heart. Or perhaps the ungodly Christians I’ve met who have other people convinced they’re good people? The list could go on. But what good would it benefit me to get revenge on any of the people listed above? Zero. Zilch. Nada. I have the choice to move on with my life. Revenge is an interesting concept. On one hand, the idea of inflicting the same pain towards someone that’s hurt you may bring temporary satisfaction, but at what cost? I don’t believe it’s worth it – even if and when given the opportunity. On the other hand, you can forgive and let go of whatever it was that transpired. That’s easier said than done for some more than others. I’m not a fan of actively seeking revenge. Revenge is God’s job and however He decides to proceed is up to Him. Because the moment myself, or anyone else, takes vengeance into our own hands, we’re inviting unnecessary chaos and drama into our lives. Romans 12:19 reads, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, it is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. Don’t seek revenge. Turn it over to God.

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

I’m Glad I’m Not Married

When I was about five years old, I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car when me, him, my older cousin (my aunt’s son), and my aunt (my dad’s sister) caught my aunt’s fiancé with another woman. My dad had been driving my aunt out to run some errands since she didn’t have a driver’s license or a car. When she spotted her man with another woman, she told my dad to pull the car over, got out of the car, and immediately addressed him. She wanted the keys back to her apartment and was done with him. The other woman she caught her fiancé with slapped him when she realized what was happening, and that was that. When my aunt returned to the car, she was clearly and understandably upset, and the ride back to her place was quiet. Although I was too young to fully grasp what was happening at the time, I knew it wasn’t good. And now, at 34 years old, I can’t imagine how much pain she was in. Her wedding had been planned and paid for – and she never made it down the aisle. My aunt was a beaut...

How To Respond To A Nasty Email

Technology has made many people bold, rude, and incredibly messy. Often to the point where some may hide behind words they’ve typed instead of verbally communicating a message they want to convey. Such can be the case when it comes to sending emails. Ah, emails. You know what they are. Electronic messages that can be quickly drafted, sent, and misinterpreted (because you can’t always interpret tones or emotions through them). Which is why it’s key to know how to respond to nasty emails if they should ever come your way – especially in the workplace. As a working professional, there have been plenty of times when a coworker or superior sent an email my way that was petty, mad disrespectful, and unprofessional. And before I learned how to properly utilize email etiquette, my first instinct would always be to clap back. I just felt the need to respond and to communicate that I wouldn’t allow anyone, no matter who they were, to disrespect me. And while I haven’t taken t...

Making Waves