Situation: Don't know about you, but when I'm in the hospital for surgery or illness, I'm upset and miserable, usually at least half-sedated, looking a fright, and really don't want to see anyone. Just let me rest and come see me when I'm home.
Darlene was a middle-aged woman going through a unusually painful situation, her divorce. She was a very shy and private person, never wanting to burden anyone with just how terrible her marriage was. She had never complained about her husband, feeling that it would be a violation of her marriage vows.
Amazingly enough, neither her friends nor her co-workers had the slightest knowledge of her divorce until they read about it in the newspaper! Everyone was totally shocked.
Lessons learned: Due to her strict upbringing, Darlene felt divorce was wrong, that the only reason for divorce was horrible physical abuse. Since her abuse was 'only' psychological, she thought she'd just have to tough it out. She thought she had no limits to what she could take but found out she did. Darlene was, however, able to consult her pastor and several counselors over the years.
It wasn't that she didn't trust her friends with continuing bad news, she just didn't want to bring them her pain. After the divorce she learned that it's all right to share pain with several of your trusted friends. They care deeply; they could have helped her through the worst times.
Outcome: Since the divorce is settled, Darlene is a new, happy woman! She enjoys the company of many good friends. When the inevitable pain in life happens, they are able to share, one-on-one, the pain, and support each other. Sometimes when you don't know what to say when a loved one is in a painful state, just say you care. Friends are the treasures in life!
As always, know that God loves us, and wants us to be happy! There is pain in every life, but sharing the pain always makes it more bearable.
No comments:
Post a Comment