Quote:
Originally Posted by Rose76
Maybe you might question some of your basic premises, which I think are questionable. If not, I think you are on borrowed time with this friendship. I say that because I think you are avoiding the elephant in the room, which seems to be under-addressed in this thread. And I think he's mindful of it:
So you are pleased that he will make sure that his relations with this lady "are as pure as possible," so that there will be no questions coming from you. So that resolves things, kinda. If this guy has even the flimsiest of backbones and even the weakest of personal boundaries, he's going to wake up one morning and think: "Why do I have to make utterly certain that nothing in my behavior should, in the least way, raise up any suspicions in her. Why does she get to call me on the carpet? Why should I allow that?" It's nice that you admire his character, but doesn't he get to decide what his character can be? He is gratified that you approve of him. But maybe he'll decide: "I'll be who I choose to be, and she can take it or leave it."
Why does he have to live up to your standards of who he should be? Because you are his friend gives you that right? I don't think so. And I'll bet he doesn't think so. Maybe I'm all wrong. You can disregard me totally. But ask yourself: What do you think is still bothering him, despite all the making up you did? You're claiming authority over him that you'll have a hard time asserting over your own children, whom you do, or will, have a duty to set standards of behavior for.
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He's making sure of his relations with her not for me, but for everyone around them. He doesn't want to raise any suspicion because I'm not the only one who has brought it to his attention - I was just more blunt with it and coming from someone who cares about him and has NEVER judged him, I hurt him pretty badly because underlying all that...I judged him, and I judged him incorrectly.
Of course he ultimately decides who his character is and he has told me time & time again that he is working to become a better person and have a better walk with God. He knows I accept him and his flaws, always have and always will.
It's because he's told me of his past, his mistakes, his flaws..and how badly he wants to change, that as a friend, he's asked me to hold him accountable for some things.
Our friendship hasn't been at it's best the past month due to my depression and it taking a negative toll on our friendship...and this scenario just kinda broke it apart.