Manipulation

I know a guy in New York and I'll call him somewhere between a friend and an acquaintance. We're both fans of the Jets and Rangers, but we are complete opposites spiritually and politically. Not the biggest issue in the world, but that's just how it is. We've hung out twice, talked a couple of times, but he's not a guy I consider a close friend. 

A couple of months ago, I had received a text from him saying he could not be my friend anymore because of a tweet that I liked. He didn't reference what the tweet was or what the subject matter was. I just ignored it. 

Within a couple of weeks, he said he'd be willing to have a conversation with me. Not that I was dying for that to take place! I figured it would just blow over. I've had political conversations and ive found the previous to be unproductive and frustrating; it wasn't worth my time. 

So then this weekend, I liked a post of his about the Rangers and within ten seconds, I received a text message from this individual. He said he'd add me back on social media if I would just admit that I was wrong to like the tweet. I still didn't know what tweet he was talking about! 

Then he did something that angered me, disgusted me, and scared me. He texted me a screenshot of the tweet someone else had written. Basically it was that no one is responsible for someone else's suicide. And if they're not straight, it's not because of a bully, it's because they know what they're doing is wrong. I'm not saying I fully agree with it. I'm not happy when anyone commits suicide. But suicide is somebody's personal decision. And certain things are still wrong no matter what pop culture wants us to believe and no matter what someone feels in a given moment. 

When I asked why he took and kept a screenshot, he smugly replied "Because I don't forget."

I wouldn't admit being wrong at first. I explained it was misconstrued and I didn't advocate for suicide. He didn't give a damn about my explanation or my perspective. He told me for once, to take some responsibility and don't be holier than thou. I told him I wasn't on trial. He said he wanted to be my friend again but if I couldn't admit to being wrong, we couldn't go forward. 

So his method of reconciling was to manipulate me, to blackmail me, to bully me. Normally, I would have told him to piss off. But because he was so low in character  to take and keep a screenshot, I decided to give in even though I didn't mean it. I said it was wrong and I would like him to delete the screenshot. I don't know if he did, but he said he was a man of his word, so maybe he did.  

This wasn't a friend. This was a guy driven by ego and bitterness. And that's not the kind of person I want in my inner circle. 

MLB Standings Prediction

American League

East

NY Yankees    98-74

Tampa Bay      87-75

Toronto           78-84

Boston             71-91

Baltimore        58-104

Central

Cleveland        86-76

Chicago           85-77

Minnesota       82-80

Kansas City     65-97

Detroit             60-102

West

Oakland           85-77

Houston           84-78

Anaheim          83-79

Texas               80-82

Seattle             72-90

National League

East

Philadelphia    88-74

Atlanta            87-75

NY Mets         85-77

Washington     81-81

Miami             59-103

Central

Cincinnati        87-75

St. Louis          86-76

Chicago           84-78

Milwaukee      75-87

Pittsburgh        66-96

West

Los Angeles    98-74

Arizona           85-77  

San Diego       80-82

Colorado         78-84

San Francisco  70-92

World Series
NY Yankees over Atlanta

Where Do I Fit

I am desiring community so much. I am blessed to have the Virginia Jets Fans as well as two Meetup groups. But I want that regular church community. And First Baptist in Norfolk makes sense. Good location, good size, good services, lots of Sunday options. 

I've tried four out and each had pros and cons. I was heading to one in particular today and I saw a sign outside the door that said 25-40. I barely still qualify so I walked inside. There were maybe five people in there at the time, two couples and a cute girl who had a ring on. 

I met the leaders, Dave and Sharon (I wish their last name was Ramsey). Very nice and welcoming, just as any leader would hopefully be. Then a married couple came in. Then another. And another. On and on. Before long, every seat was filled. I counted. Ten married couples and two women whose husbands were gone.

And me, the single schmuck. 

Oh and the topic? Divorce. When Dave said during the lesson we were sitting next to our spouse our future spouse, the feeling went from awkward to disgusted. I walked right out of the room. 

I don't want to quit. I like the church. But I don't want to be the guy who walks into the church auditorium, sits for an hour, and leaves without engaging with a soul. Maybe that's why it matters. The journey will go on.