What is Going On?

When my children were very, very young (4,2,2 and newborn) a relative had told us that they were having family over, but that we weren't invited because there were now 6 of us and could we possibly come after dinner because it was just too many people to feed.

I was astounded and hurt and dumb-founded... I told that person that they have to remember that we are FAMILY and that they had no right to tell us that because we were now six people that we took up too much food/too much space (and how much do a 4 year old, two 2 year olds and a NEWBORN eat anyway--last time I checked--not very much.....). I told them that we are family and that they should be happy that we are part of their family--and a bunch of other stuff that probably never stuck to their heads. Oh well--it's all in the past.

So, today, a friendly family member asked if they would see us over Christmas, and I said- Yes, of course we will see each other because we will be there on the 25th--then sad confusion from the other person saying that they are celebrating Christmas with the family on the 28th and not the 25th..... I told them that they just must not have told us yet....

But now, I got an e-mail from the family that is having everyone over--and they said that they realized that this friendly family member accidentally let us know about the "other" Christmas get-together and how welcome we are to come, and how of course they want us over and how they just figured that my husband had to work anyway....which he never does because he takes a week of vacation that week (and he has been doing that for YEARS--and if they would think about it they would soon realize that they know that.....).

So, anyway--I guess I shouldn't be surprised--we are SIX people, you know--and we eat A LOT of food--I guess.......

But, now I have this issue of dealing with the frustration and anger about it all and I came here to blog, but scared to blog at the same time because the friendly family member is the only one in our families allowed to read it, and I don't want them to feel bad, and I don't want any others of the family to know how I'm feeling......

The thing that really BITES is that my Hubby has a sibling and I absolutely DO NOT think that they would have excluded HIM and his family (this isn't his siblings fault.... it's just that they have two less kids??? Or maybe they eat less, or they're more sociable, etc????)

Oh well. I absolutely can't be surprised- we go through junk to shape and mold our hearts and the Lord must need me to learn who I am and how I need to respond. I would really like to respond in a very hurtful and mean way--but the harness of the Lord is on my neck, at least for the moment{if I don't decide to suddenly and furiously rip it off).

Satan would like nothing more than for this to become a hurtful and bitter battle and all I can do is sit in my Father's lap and hurt while He holds me and helps me sort it all out.

{{Hug}} to the friendly family member--this post is just between us, okay?

~B