A lot of people like to point out that the apostle Peter, when he stepped out of the boat to walk on water toward Jesus, fairly shortly SANK

Do they really? What’s with those guys? Do they have the ministry of discouragement or what?

I think the hidden part of this story is that Sheri had been kind to the landlady before the email mistake and so once the landlady got over the heat and frustration of the moment she came back to Sheri because Sheri is the sort of person she doesn’t want to be on bad terms with.

This speaks to the value of relationship - if there’s a good relationship already established then if you do make a mistake the other person is much more likely to forgive you (once they calm down). And it’s to Sheri’s credit that she established a relationship like that with her landlady.

A lot of people like to point out that the apostle Peter, when he stepped out of the boat to walk on water toward Jesus, fairly shortly SANK. i’m afraid that misses the point…which is he got out of the boat and actually WALKED ON WATER. Not sure how many steps, but SOME. And it appears he walked back to the boat with Jesus as well. You may have unintentionally offended your friend by trying to offer her comfort and sympathy, but your persistent love seems to have won the day. Way to love. Way to get out of the boat!

Having said that I do think it’s wise to be careful how you bring up God around atheists - they might have had bad experiences that make them think any mention of God means you’re about to move in with hardcore proselytizing.

Jim I don’t think it’s fair to call the landlord immature. She’s in the midst of grief and if she’s made it known she’s an atheist maybe it makes her feel invisible and unlistened to when people mention God to her as if she shared their beliefs.

They often will not extend to you the benefit of the doubt they themselves expect.

They will compare their best with your worst.

They will hold you to a higer standard than they hold themselves to.

I wonder what went through Jesus mind the myriad of times he extended himself and was either rebuffed or eventually killed for offering.

Thats one reason I like praying behind peoples backs- they cant stop me from doing that:-)

I appreciate that in spite of her immature response to your genuine extention of sympathy - you were able to recover and once again look for the good in the other person.

Her atheism is most likely a way for her to tell teh world to screw themselves due to the fact that someone (maybe a religious person) hurt her once and she cant move passed it.

She is far more vulnerable to love than she may seem.

When people like each other the rules change