I try to control-
other peoples actions,
other peoples choices,
other peoples desires.

Because if I don’t-
other peoples actions can hurt me,
other peoples choices are wrong,
other peoples desires are flawed.

I wish I could act for them,
I wish I could chose wisely for them,
I wish I could sway their desires.

But I can’t.
Their actions are theirs,
Their choices are theirs,
Their desires are their own.

I must let them act as they will,
I must let them choose what they will,
I must let them desire what they do.

It’s not mine to direct,
Not mine to decide,
It’s not mine to control.

It’s hard to watch, hurtful to be hit with the shrapnel, painful to live with the sacrifice that must be made on my part due to their choosing.

This is the ultimate test of belief in personhood.
Do I really believe that each person has a created, God-given, covering of personhood?- into which no one else dare enter?
I must let them have it.

Then,
I can rest.
Rest from trying- trying to convince, trying to show, trying to control the input and pave the outcome. Mitigate the grief and hurt.

It’s not mine, they aren’t mine.
Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden,
And I will give you rest.

With that rest comes a Higher trust and freedom… in personhood.