HMMM?
Today's reading: Proverbs 1

"My son, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!" Proverbs 1:10 NLT

All right Lord, that's just what I'm having to do. The one I thought to be my mission field, is pushing my buttons to the point that I may scream, hit, kick, punch or throw my Bible at them! The unravel my every attempt to witness. They shrug off every verse I aim in their direction. They contort my every stab at being a Good Samaritan. They catch me in every one of my faults, my failures, my slip-ups. I've heard about each and every hypocritical Christian they, or their extended family, have been spurned by.

The phrase, 'Kill them with kindness' has come to mind--give or take a few words!

A 'laying on of hands' is about to be a part of my evangelical technique!

Giving up is not in my way of doing things. Yours either, huh, Lord? But stepping back and re-assessing--yes, that's probably what's needed.

And here You're saying it's okay to step away from the 'project' for a while? It's all right to walk away, re-group and fortify my arsenal? It's well within Your approval to exclude myself from their life in order to listen more closely to You and Your plans for my ministry tactics?

Are you saying my staying within the boundaries and freedoms of godliness is as important to You as their salvation? Keeping my cool, exhibiting patience and not sullying Your name should rank as high as my charge to 'go out into all the world'?

Hmmm. Hmmm! Hmmm?

Can I ask one more thing, Lord? This person I'm attempting to reach for You? Do they know all this, too??