Moving On

It's been in the works for months.  The friends that saw me through some of the worst times in my life,  have walked out of my life just as it was getting good again.  For months, I struggled with the question of "what did I do? " I racked my brain trying to recall an event or disagreement or anything that caused them to distance themselves.  I've talked to my family and I've prayed about it.  I believe it's possible to offend someone unintentionally and for many months that's what I believed happened.


There is nothing I've done or said to intentionally hurt them.  But something had to have caused this rift and I've been searching for peace and understanding.

Then, last week, I found my own personal clarification.

But let me start a few weeks sooner than that. 

At the end of March, I stopped in to the local bar and grill late in the evening.  I had been in Columbia earlier that day and there was a basketball game on that night plus a band that I liked was playing.  I approached the table where my friends were sitting. One friend in particular looked like she saw a ghost when she saw me walk in.  I sat at the opposite end of the table. Chatted with one girl. Watched the game, drank a couple beers, listened to the music, paid my tab and left. I said goodbye to everyone, including the girl that was not happy to see me.  Somehow,  deep inside,  I knew that was the final goodbye.

On Good Friday, we've had a tradition of a crab leg fest followed by "Jesus Christ Superstar ". This year, I didn't get an invite but did see the two particular girls post about it on Facebook.  I tried not to take offense as I was closing on my house that day so there was no way I was going to make it anyway. But I knew I was intentionally not invited.

The next weekend,  I met my sister to see the same band at a different dive bar.  Apparently, my "friends " (and I use that word loosely now) were there celebrating the other particular girl's birthday.  Again, I received no invite.  One lady that I can still consider an acquaintance at this point came over and said hi and inquired about the new house.  The other two and their group didn't acknowledge my existence .  I considered buying the birthday girl a drink but when I passed their table on my way to the bar, it was glaringly obvious they were snubbing me.  I finished up my drink a short time later and my sister and I called it a night.

The following Wednesday was the one girl's actual birthday. I went onto Facebook to wish her a happy birthday only go discover we were no longer friends. Out of curiosity I checked the other girls page and sure enough I had been unfriended.  Knowing well enough how these girls operate, I updated my settings and blocked them both.  It was crystal clear they ended our friendship. I wasn't  going to give them the opportunity to witness any of the good things going on in my life.

That is also when I realized just what I did for them to end this friendship. 


I became happy!


My life is no longer in the gutters. My career,  my family and my faith has grown through God's love and blessings.  I no longer relied on them to help me through the tough times. The tough times are gone and it was God's grace that got me where I am now. 

I've found  peace through the Lord.  Haters gonna hate,  but that doesn't mean they need to bring me down.  And I don't want or need to call anyone a friend who would desert me in my happiest of times. 

The weight has been lifted and I know the Lord has amazing plans for me.

"I'm movin' on
At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days are gone"

-Rascal Flatts