Jilly is 12 years old. She is the step-daughter of the Youth & Children’s Minister, SF. Jilly has a bit of a wild streak in her that is attributed to the influence of her mom.
My youngest daughter loves Jilly. She finds Jilly to be exciting and fun to be around. They are the same age and are great buddies.
This afternoon the two girls went for a walk and exceeded the boundaries laid out by SF. The Shepherd received an email from SF explaining the situation:
“I pointed to behind the house, didn’t say it…but said our usual walk (which Jilly knows exactly what that means). Jilly is used to A LOT of freedom. That’s why she hates it at our house (as I’ve explained before). I know your daughter loves to hang out with her, but Jillie has made it clear that she really doesn’t care what Jesus thinks.
I think it’s good for your daughter to be Jillies’s friend, but I don’t want Jillie to bring her down.
SF
I am floored by this. It is not the first time SF has made it clear that Jillie is thought of as being unworthy of the friendship. I understand there can be a time friendships would be prohibited, but not for such a simple violation. It makes me nervous to realize how quickly the line can be crossed and how significant the consequences might be.
For them, for us, for everyone. With no grace there is NO room for error.
I wonder if SF would be a little more understanding of her own blood child? Maybe she’s a little quicker to find her unworthy of a friendship than if she was her “own” daughter. Tough role, being a step-parent, I assume. Thank God for his grace in my life for I have exceeded the boundaries many many times. Oh, that we would show more grace to others!
Without grace, I don’t think I could have a single long-standing friendship. Without grace I would be a complete failure at parenting, teaching, as a daughter, etc. Seems I don’t manage any relationship perfectly. I am very grateful to received grace and therefore feel the need to extend much grace as well.