UNDER PRESSURE
by Ricky Doc Sauceda
Genesis 13:7-9
And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”
I am recalling my sister Debbie's funeral this morning...actually a dinner my family had afterward in Katy, Texas. My second sister could not decide what to order and began asking me to help her.
This person has always been finicky about things. Just the night before she had ordered a dinner that she didn't like. I swapped plates with her and ended up eating something I didn't care for...but I did it to even out the situation.
Now she starts again about not knowing what to order. Across from her is her dimwitted husband, Richard. He has already decided what he is going to order. He does not offer to help his wife pick out something to eat. Nope, he just sat there drinking beer.
I got a bit uptight because I didn't want to end up eating something that I didn't want again. So I mentioned the previous night,"Are you going to want what I order again?" That is when Richard got angry and threatened me with physical violence. Yup...he sure did.
I talked him down and helped my sister order a dinner and an appetizer. I ended up eating what I didn't want. Again.
But now I am thinking about my brother-in-law flipping out on me. On this day I had just buried my eldest sister...I was in mourning. I was solemn and numb this day. My mind was not on arguing or defending.
It seems like a blur to me now that my second sister's husband would conduct himself like a total moron on the day of my loving first sister's funeral. I am now feeling offended. I have had time to mourn and am now remembering this behavior.
My sister likes to proclaim how much she's changed since her heart surgery last Fall. I don't see it...not at all. I see the "same old, same old." Her husband is a reflection of her and indicates to me to stay clear of her from this point onward.
For the sake of my peace. I will do just that.