There's bound to be at least one in all of our lives: the Drama Queen. You know what I mean, the person who goes over the edge of common sense for every situation of his or her life.
Meet Joyce: she is chronically ill, actually to the point where she could no longer survive surgery. She takes many medicines and is frequently distressed that she will die any moment. So Joyce tells everyone she knows the plans she's made for her death. We all try hard to be compassionate, but for the 15th time: it gets old. We know when she's screaming and hollering, her pain meds need to be adjusted again - or perhaps, she forgot she took a pill and took another one by mistake (overdose!).
And then there's Gordon: he earns lots of money and works to earn even more. He loves to spend this money and is generous with others. The problem comes when Gordon reaches near total exhaustion: he gets these migraine headaches for days, wants to talk endlessly about all his problems, then will finally rest when there is no other option.
Last of all, consider Frannie: she plays the 'victim' to everyone, "poor little me," "everyone is better than me," and on and on. All her friends have a nice husband, a lot more money, and are prettier than Frannie. "Why me?"
What do these folks have in common: they get a lot of attention, like a broken record, singing the same 'song,' over and over. What should we, their family and friends, do? First, we should probably realize that nothing we say or do will ever change them. Secondly, it won't do any good to agree with them, play into what may be fantasies. Lastly, we can know that they're just 'venting,' listen to them as long as we have patience, and let them be.
Lord, sometimes those we love don't want our advice, they just want us to listen. Help us to be compassionate, to be loving, as we know you love us always!
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