Troubled over a gift

[funnyface]

I have a friend whose mom has such obvious and wonderful faith in God. In the few times I've spoken with her, she really touched my heart. In our move a few months ago I came across a large tapestry of Jesus that my mom had given me a long time ago. I've never really hung it up because of it's size and because I felt it deserved a prominent place, uncluttered. In looking at it again, I thought of my friends mom and decided I wanted to give it to her as a gift, because of how her faith touched me. So I gave it to my friend and she passed it on to her mom.

Well, last night I went with her to her mom's house and in talking with the mom, realized that she was angry with me. This has really been bothering me. See, the mom was trying to convert my little family to Catholicism and I have discussed quite a few things with her. However I feel that faith is personal and ultimately any decision was something personal.

It felt like she was angry that I was taking so long to decide. Some of the things she said felt like direct attacks veiled in the "I believe" sentences she kept saying. She also stated something along the lines that by not hanging the tapestry, I was allowing evil into my life and being misdirected.

I think the tapestry set her off because I had a talk with her daughter about not being able to hang a shadow box cross I have because it is so heavy and where I moved 85% of the walls are plaster so I wasn't sure where to put it.
However if any stranger walked into my house, even without those two items they would easily see my faith.

Regardless of all the above, my point is that I've never felt so attacked before. It felt like a non-stop "your faith isn't good enough" routine and it's really sticking with me.

It also was really hurtful.

So how do I go about working it out and moving past it?

 

[gsmithcat]

I recommend that you forgive her. Then your faith will measure up whether she thinks it does or not.

My mom is Catholic, and it was difficult between us when I converted to non-denominational (I did this because I felt like all the "religion" in Catholicism was a barrier between me and God, while in a non-denominational church I felt free to seek God sincerely). I had to spend a lot of time talking with her about it. We went over scripture. Eventially, we came to an agreement about faith in Christ being what's most important (check out some Galatians 5:6). Christ became an important part of our relationship, and I think we get along better than when I was Catholic.

You're in my prayers.

 

[forgivenmuch]

if she was attacking you over your beliefs in christ thats her own problem. i would hold up for my beliefs. she seems to have anger to lash out at you like that..stay away.. why would you give something that meant so much to your own mom to someone like that? did that not hurt your moms feelings at all? did you even think before you gave it away? i would just let things simmer down..if she cant accept you .. then you need to accept that.. and when you go around them.. dont get into the discussion of your faith..tell her that also.. if she cant handle that..stay away.

 

[funnyface]

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate them. I do forgive her, it was more the shock of how it felt to have my faith attacked.

why would you give something that meant so much to your own mom to someone like that? did that not hurt your moms feelings at all? did you even think before you gave it away?

Actually, my mom is not a believer. In fact except for possibly a handful, most of my family are not believers. Mom gave me the tapestry because she thought it would be something I would like. She found it in a box of free stuff. When I told her I was giving it away, she couldn't remember what I was talking about.

And to clarify, I had no idea this woman was like that until last night.

 

[TheMainException]

If she doesn't respect you, don't hang around with her anymore...have your friend come to your house or hang out someplace other than your friend's home...And if that isn't possible, or the two of you come into conflict some time again...let her know that you have a faith and that is what you believe...say it forcefully, but kindly and respectfully. Hopefully she will respect your words and stop trying to force you to believe something that you don't. I believe that we should be trying to convert all peoples to Christianity...but as long as you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that you are saved through faith by grace...you don't need to worry about anything else.