BA...that was beautiful and captured what I was stumbling around to say in such an amazing and eloquent way.
That has been the greatest gift to me...the whole giving it up process and that there is a plan for me...even if I don't know wht the plan is...or never even imagined the outcome. There is a wonderful quote out there that talks about giving up your plan in order to have God's plan. I will paraphrase, if you can bear with me...
It says something to the effect of...if we limit ourselves to our own plan, or agenda, we have missed out on unending potential. Our imagination is nothing compared to God's ideas.
What I was picking up on was the idea that you gave her a present (which she didn't want) with a letter (that she felt manipulated by) to which she responded...I feel controlled and manipulated by this gift...to which you got angry and self-righteous. You knew she didn't want a gift form you right now...a sign of respect would have been to honor that request...not to put your wants and desires before hers. How much better would a simple...It was really nice seeing you. I hope you have a great Christmas. Thanks for stopping by...have been? there would have been no pressure or room for misinterpretation.
No one has even implied that you shouldn't stand for your M. What I was saying was that it seems like you haven't really let go of your own agenda. You have a reason for everything you have done, even if you don't want to admit it.
