Recently, I read something that said, “When a leader gets tired of saying something, the people have just begun to hear it.” I don’t exactly remember where I saw it, but it spoke to me.
I’m frequently tempted to get irritated with people that continue to treat me in a way that I find disrespectful after I have told them exactly how I feel. This happens more with loved ones and sometimes with colleagues as well.
Family is a wonderful thing. However, you know that family has a really good way of getting on ones nerves. And perhaps, that’s part of the growth process. Family members may be instruments of righteousness to train us to be more patient, less easily angered, more forgiving, etc.
You probably can think of family members who insist on doing things their way while expecting that when they get in trouble you will help them financially because you are family. You may be able to think of family members, especially older ones like parents and uncles, who don’t respect your preferences especially when it comes to taking care of your children, running your home, managing your finances, etc.
The phrase cited above reminds me to be firm, unperturbed, and kindly state how I or my family does things even if it’s the hundredth time I’m saying it to that family member who just ignores my preferences and hopes that I will change and do what she/he wants.
You may be one of those luckily people whose family is perfect. If you are, you will probably have colleagues and friends that are like that.
Even though the wise have said that “wisdom is proved right by all her children”, these people don’t listen.
I find the words of the ancient missionary, Paul of Tarsus, helpful in this situation. He said to his protégé, Timothy, “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
