...as their actions deserve...?

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I still have moments where I feel sad about what I am doing to my relationship to my parents. To them. It is mean, in a way. At least, it will cause pain. Is it justified? They did not do their best, but they could have done worse. There were good moments (although only when it served them).

As I thought about this, the words came to my mind, "He has not treated us as our actions deserve."

That is a description of God's mercy. Am I being merciful towards my parents? No, I am being just. 

Is this wrong?

But God's mercy is for those who repent, not for those who continue in their sinful actions.

For those who continue in sin, for conflicts between people, the guide is, "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth."

My reaction is not an overreaction. It is a just reaction: it is what their actions deserve.

"You have heard it said, 'eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I say to you, do not resist an evil person, but whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

What is the context of this? How can we understand it? Is this an instruction for a battered wife to go back for one more? For an abused daughter to forgive and let him have it one more time? For an emotionally scarred child to go back, to stand by, and allow yet more generations to be corrupted by sinful and dysfunctional patterns?

Right now, I am not entirely clear what Jesus meant. But I cannot believe that it applied to giving abusers more power over their victims. It is right for victims to stand up to abuse, and to get out.

They do not need to overreact. But neither should they cower. Neither should they gloss it over. Neither should they silence themselves. Neither should they "submit," and put up with it.

And do I feel sad? A little. But only a little.

It's what they deserve. Really, it is what they deserve. 

I am treating them as their actions deserve. 

Really, what can I do other than that...?

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