I guess I'm gabby mouth tonight but had to share another story with you all that happend over the past few weeks. I know this is long -but you might like the ending!!
My brothers are both elders, I'll call them brother A and brother B. Brother A disowned my mother since our dad passed away, because he's mad at things that happened when we were kids. Apparently it's easier to take it out on Mom now because Brother A couldn't stand up to dad - but that's another story.
It's a while since dad passed and Brother A refuses to return her emails, phone calls, help her in any way. I, on the other hand (being the evil df'd person and all) was helping our parents out even before dad passed.
My husband and I paid have paid quite a bit of $$ to remodel the house for them (badly needed), have given her money every month, and go there quite often to help her out with things she needs or just be there for her because she gets lonely - being a widow and all. My other brother - Brother B (also an elder) sends her money too -and in his defense, he can't do much else because he lives a very long ways away.
So I had enough of Brother A's bull**** after her sent her a rather hurtful email about how he wanted nothing to do with her. I responded with a letter to him in which I quoted scriptures about how we are supposed to care for our parents "especially those in the faith" (being that she is a JW too) and scriptures about forgiveness. I basically told him that if he refused to follow clear counsel in the bible then he was in no position to remain an elder and hold himself in judgment of others. Now Brother A is quite upset about the letter and Brother B feels it was inappropriate for a disfellowshipped person to counsel another elder.
Brother B acknowledged that everything I said was correct - but it was inappropriate for me to say that because I was DF'd . So I guess it's ok to disregard bible counsel - just don't use bible counsel if you're DF'd. GOOD GOD - can they not see how much like the Pharisees they are!
Now Brother B's wife feels that since Brother B is an elder and I am a DF'd person, brother B should be in charge of Mom. Problem is - Mom is capable of taking care of herself and doesn't need anyone to take over - she just needs a little help (she's in her 70's). So Mom was upset that everyone may be trying to tell her what to do with her $$ and feeling like she shouldn't spend any more than she has to or Brother A, Brother B and I would have to spend our own money to take care of her .
So I told Mom - look - Brother A, Brother B, and I have enough $$ and we don't need for you to save yours for us. I told Mom that the best the she could do was use that $$ now while she still could to enjoy what life she has left.
Turns out - she says she really wants to go back to "an undisclosed location" that she went to when she was younger. So Mom and I are planning a trip somewhere exotic (I'll pay my own way of course - and also help mom out with her costs) - but we're not telling brother A or Brother B. Mom is excited and checking airfair prices.
Isn't that hysterical!
I know one day I will stand before my God and have to answer for a lot of things I have done in my life. And man is there a lot I have to answer for! (we'll be there a while so I hope you don't have to stand in line too long behind me ) - but at least on the issue of my mom he will be able to look at me and say "Good Job!"