Grand-aunt treating me like a second-class citizen

Dear Pastor,

I hope you are doing well. I am the university student to whom you gave advice in January.

However, my relationship with my grand-aunt is dwindling. She wants me to bow down to her, as if her name is Jesus. I got some financial help, so I told myself that I should tell her about it as an honest grand-niece. She started to be very disrespectful, just because she is helping me.

Pastor, I am really trying to make something of myself, and I think she should know that whether she helps me or not, I am going to make it. Not because I am young, she must not think she should talk to me as if I am an average human being. We are all equal in God's sight. I do not disrespect her, and she will live to see the day I become someone of standard in society.

Family and friends have failed me. I really don't have anyone to communicate with. Maybe it is the grace of God that has brought me this far. I don't want anybody to help me while trying to control my life. I am searching deeply for peace, but every day it is the same. I just want to go far away where I am not seen at times. I am not doing well mentally. Things remain the same, but I just can't give up. I have reached this far in life and I know deep down that I have a bright future. I can feel it.

A.F.

Dear A.F.,

I want to thank you for writing to me again. However, I am disappointed by the attitude you have taken towards your grand-aunt.

By the tone of your letter, I can see that you are not grateful for what she has done for you. You write as someone who believes that your grand-aunt is obligated to you. You ought to remember that you are living in her house. You won't be able to please her with everything that you do; she is much older than you. There are times when she may feel that you are disrespecting her. You feel that she is disrespecting you, but you should not react to every issue.

I weigh my words, but I will tell you so that you will never forget them. In life, there are times when you have to learn to 'kiss asses'. You need to learn to use common sense and conduct yourself in such a way that your grandaunt could never complain to anyone that you don't have any respect for her. If you play your cards well, she would never want you to leave her place, even after you graduate from university.

I hope I am not naive, but I don't think so. Perhaps your grand-aunt needs to learn how to relate to young people, but you should learn to ignore some of the things she may say or do and show her nuff respect. You should even offer to help her to do house chores. Please spend much time in prayer and give God thanks for allowing you to be living at your grand-aunt's house. You have my prayers.

Pastor