What happens when we actually take on the burdens of others? When we place ourselves in their shoes long enough to feel the deepness of their pain and weep over it? When we lose sleep over someone elses problems? Sometimes you cannot just be a listening ear or a shoulder for their tears because if you really let what you are "listening to" sink in you realize that you can't just leave it with them...it is now yours to carry as well.
Last night was one of the strangest nights I've had in a long time. Everything seemed to be going wrong, and not just for me, for everyone around me. Finally when it came time to sit back and relax I was approached with a situation. I had two choices: ignore it and go about my business or involve myself...whatever that may lead to. With fear and timidity I chose the latter. I was a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, having no idea that the story I was about to hear would break my heart and cause me to take on the burden along with the one experiencing it.
I began to put myself in her shoes and feel the pain of what the world can do to people. I experienced the loneliness of a girl who was beaten by the world and, without hope, joined with them in her own dehumanization. I felt the grief and hurt of living a life with no knowledge of a loving, compassionate God to hold and carry me with my wounds.
It was painful and emotionally exhausting as I wept over a life that is not my own. A life that is completely lost, broken, confused, and hopeless. Not hopeless from my perspective but hopeless from hers. You do not make the decisions that she has made and live the life that she lives without a complete lack of hope for anything more beautiful, more loving, or more redeeming to come. I wanted to share with her that love exists, peace exists.
I wanted to say to her over and over:
You do not have to live like this...you do NOT have to live like this...YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THIS!
There is so much more to this life...so much more that is good and lovely and fulfilling.
Lord, please give me the courage and boldness to show Your courageous and bold love!
4 comments:
Emily... Praying for you as you share with your friend. A few close friends have shown tough love to me recently that is reaping fruit. Time was preceded by prayer and seeing what the Lord brings to light. I don't know if your friend is a believer or not. I love the song "Love them Like Jesus" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuAxzEuzNGg and You are Loved http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNRkopqjCms. Hope these songs minister to you and your friend as they have to me.
Thanks Lindsay! She is not a believer, but I am hoping to build up the courage to ask her to come to church with Noah and I sometime...we'll see.
Hey Sweetie, I finally "found" you! It amazes me the depth that you and Heather both have! How awesome! Hopefully you can fill me in later, but I will be praying for this situation. Love mom
Praying here too. I love your heart(: Empathy and compassion are gifts from the Lord, and feeling another's pain is not easy, but it sure is beautiful.
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