I hope you have had a restful and delightful vacation, Joanne. Thank you for the encouraging words you shared earlier that keep on giving today! That’s one blessing of the internet, among its many faults. 🙂 So glad you link up here. Your words are always wise and balanced and godly.

I’m like you, Donna: I usually feel the need to hurry and get my own point across. I think if I don’t say it immediately, I’ll forget it and things will move on. But sometimes that’s what God would WANT to happen! lol. Being responsible for our own behavior is the bottom line and not trying to control others. Thanks for these encouraging and wise words.

“Give the grace I want to receive.” That’s worth cross-stitching and hanging on the wall (back in the day when I used to do such things, ha). Thanks, Laurie.

I appreciate your encouragement, Marielle. I’ve gone back and forth in my mind about my role in speaking up or not on this with my friend. You’re right that it’s not easy. In the end, I’ve decided I need to be prepared to say something if God opens the door. And if he doesn’t, I need to keep showing love by example. Also easier said than done. 🙂 But that’s my goal.

So glad you took me up on the invitation to link your posts, Patti. Your voice will be welcome here, as many of us are dealing with similar issues in this empty-nest season of life!

I’ve found that a lot of marriage advice is often good for relationships across the board. Granted, there are some things that don’t transfer, but as you point out, there are general relationship tips that also don’t transfer in specific situations, such as with toxic people.

I hope you do write on that topic next week, Yvonne! I know it will be helpful, with all that you’ve experienced and have been learning lately. Even for those of us who haven’t been in a close relationship with a naracissist, we’ve at least had tangential experience with one and it’s difficult.

Happy to be a conduit. 🙂 Thanks, Michele.

Yes, our motivations are key ingredients to look at. Even when they’re proper, we can still do damage in our relationships with our blurt-outs, but at least our odds are better at recovering if we start out well. 😉