Posted on 11/21/2012 3:52:07 PM PST by Marie
Right now, I'm in a lot of pain. I'm hurting. Everyone I love is hurting. Things just keep going from bad to worse.
Today I received a call, a woman soliciting donations for a charity.
I blew up. I told her that I'd just spent my entire morning canceling all of my monthly charitable donations. I'd given all I could give and I had nothing left. I'm bled dry. I almost hung up on her.
She asked me what was wrong. I sighed and couldn't speak and she told me it was alright. I started to choke up and I just blurted it all out on this perfect stranger. Everything. She stayed on the phone with me for more than half an hour. Encouraging me. Sharing her own stories of hardship and how she got through it. Offering every bit of compassion and love that another person can offer through a phone line.
Today, after that call, things got worse. (I've figured out that, no matter how bad it is, it can always get worse.) But I thought of Susan, that beautiful woman who took the time to stay on the phone and comfort a stranger in pain. To offer hope. To offer humanity. And it wasn't so bad. I had the strength to deal with more bad news.
She asked for nothing. She only wanted to give everything she could to ease my pain.
I wanted to share this story with my fellow FReepers. We need to remember this; when times are dark, when we feel like we're drowning, we're not alone. We have G-d and we have each other.
If you can't give money, sometimes it helps to give of yourself. To give a moment. To give a hug. To just remember to love one another.
It always amazes me how our Lord will place things and people that we need in our lives in unusual ways.
I hope things get better for you soon.
If your Home is Paid For, Save Cash for Property Taxes...
TT
Look out Zimbabwe... here we come (it’s Obama’s “Dream” Come True)
And I know exactly what you mean. I'm not in any sort of pain, but I'm anxious and angry almost every waking moment. I'm witnessing the destruction of this great nation -- and its Judeo-Christian heritage -- right before my eyes. It makes me ill.
I just came back from a long walk out in the desert. I'm feeling a little better now. I hope you can find a way to set your mind at ease.
All the best!
Thank God he sent you Susan today. She sounds like a angel sent from Heaven to be a blessing for a hurting soul like you
I pray that one day soon... YOU may be a Susan for someone else.
In the meantime... prayers up. Your story reminds me that the Holiday season (now here) is often a time of heartache and despair for so many.
Prayers for you.
In the end, when things are at their darkest, we depend on each other for support and strength. Whether they are family, friends, or complete strangers, it’s our own humanity that has to keep us strong.
How beautiful, Marie. I’m so sorry you’re having such a bad time. It’s been much the same for me over the last four years, and it’s always such a blessing whenever someone gives of themselves the way Susan did.
Thank you for sharing that. I’m going to make a point of being kind even when I’m having an absolutely lousy day... you really never know how the other person is doing at that moment. I’ve a firm believer that even a small kindness at the right time can turn someone’s day, or life, around.
G-d bless you, Marie. I’ll keep you in my prayers, and I hope that the bad gives way to good for you, and soon.
I think that this is part of it.
*I* am the one being leaned on. I’m toppling over with the weight of my own problems and (it sometimes seems like) the rest of the planet. I finally had someone say, “lean on me!” Even if it was only for a bit.
I felt horrible pulling all of our charitable donations. She reminded me that ‘giving’ doesn’t have to be about money.
You got the message. Not, “Feels sorry for Marie!” but that we can turn around another person’s day with just a moment of thoughtfulness and care.
:-)
(We’ll be alright! Times have been tougher than this.)
Thank you, Marie.
And I hope things improve soon for you.
It always amazes me how our Lord will place things and people that we need in our lives in unusual ways.
***
It is amazing. There have been many instances in my life in which, while I was feeling sorry for myself for some situation, I have met someone who is in far worse straits. I just know the Lord has put that person in my path to give me some perspective.
Do you want to vent to us? You can.
I knew a priest who used to tell the story of how he ended up in Brazil. He didn’t know the language and he was second-guessing his decision. Everything was wrong.
There was a woman whose husband had died several years earlier and she couldn’t get over her grief. No one knew how to help her.
One day the priest was in the church telling God how miserable he was and how he wanted to go home when this woman walked in and sat beside him. She started talking and talked for over an hour and he didn’t understand a word she said but responded to her expressions.
After that the woman was fine and they gave him all the credit and he said all I did was sit there and listen. Sometimes that is what it takes.
Is there any way we can help out besides prayer?
HOORAY Marie! Good message/exchange from you and Susan.
Prepare. Persevere.
II Corinthians 12:4-10. How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Then he read us this story. I do not know if it is true; I don't care, but the message behind it is true.
Our entire congregation was pretty emotional at the end of it. It is a bit long to post on FR, so I will provide the link
The Thorn Bouquet As an aside, I've come to find that what I thought were the most difficult and trying times in my life, were actually my greatest Blessings. I just didn't have God's foresight when I was enduring receiving them....it was only until I had the hindsight I could really see.
Thanks for posting this. It is heartening to me and gives me hope.
And we have the power that comes with that position.
We should celebrate because they (the Libs) now own it.
We told them it wouldn't work...and now they will find out from experience.
Look up...this is our time now!
If she worked a commercial call center, she would have been fired for spending so much time on the call.
“We have G*d and we have each other”.
No truer words ever said! Yes, we do. I’m in your corner, Marie. Hugs, Mom
I don’t think that’s the case. She read me her company’s manifesto. “Treat everyone with respect and kindness.” They begin every shift holding hands with a prayer. She told me that she’s never found a more loving group of people.
Heck, I want to work there!
We’re in this together, mom!
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