There is a Christian man i know who absolutely loathes me! I've known him and his family for a few years, and even though i don't know him well, I like him, i care about what he thinks, and i've tried VERY hard to genuinely develop some sort of relationship with him. Maybe too hard at times, but overall i've just tried getting along with him. I've just tried to meet him at some level. I've tried joking around, making small talk, I've tried to get into deeper conversation, tried to banter with him, barrack for him [Even when he's had altercations with other people]. I've complimented him when he's made progress with something and I've prayed for him through trials. He went through a thing once where he wasn't sure where his faith was at. So when he "came back" i sent an e-mail to him, telling him it was good to see him back. Well, he responded with a barrage of insults!

He doesn't have a sense of humour and he is very forthcoming about what he thinks. And he does not like me one tiny little bit [hasn't from the start], and he's not afraid to say so!!!

Now, i know there's always going to be people who don't like us. There's nothing we can do about that, and worrying about it will only drive us mad, so why bother? It amuses John that i let this guy get to me.

But we are fellow Christians who interact every other day [with other people] during outreach. We are on teams together. We are supposed to be united at some level. We are supposed to at least TRY to get along with each other! Not be best freinds, but at least on polite talking terms.

This guy will avoid being within 5 feet of me if he can. If he walks past me in the street, he'll look the other way so he doesn't have to make eye contact.

I've now backed off completely due to self preservation. If i say anything to him where he HAS to respond, he's very short and sharp, and he's said some very cutting things to me, that have come out of nowhere! If i know i have to talk to him, i feel like i need a courage drink first. I actualy have to work myself up to it!

Ideally i'd like to talk to him about it. I'd like to sit down and have it out, even with a mediatar.

But it's gotten to a stage where i can't even think about my relationship with him, without shedding a tear. Because it hurts. As a Christian i care about him, and when you care about someone that you have to interact with all the time, and they see you as nothing but pond scum, it kinda gets to you. I don't want to ask him if we can sit down and sort it out, and have him go off his nut about it.

A few weeks ago. I was standing at a shop door, and he walked past as if i wasn't there [again]. I didn't say hello [coz that usualy results in getting my head bitten off] but i smiled..in vein.

It hurt, as usual. So i gave it to God [Why is that usualy the last resort??] I asked God to heal the relationship. I asked him to soften this guys heart toward me.

Well this week a bit of progress was made. I asked him how he was enjoying a toy in his life, and he answered kinda nicely. We interacted for a few sentances like civil people, and it was good, before the cutting remark at the end. Some progress you say?

Well it was, because of the few sentances BEFORE the cutting remark. Normaly it's just the acknowledgement [by me], then straight to the cutting remark! [by him]

So thanks God, For what looks like a bit of healing. Please keep at it. Soften his heart and help him see that i have feelings that get hurt. Help him to look at how he interacts with people.

Thanks God [[HUG]]