during the last 2 years I have had people say things to me that definitely were meant well... and what they said offended me, then I have had self-centred people say stuff to me, comparing their situation to mine when it could not be compared.. making statements about how I should feel... not helpful...
yesterday someone I love very much said something about my situation and all I could think was "you have no idea"....
rather than being upset about this I am choosing to learn a lesson... even when meaning really well, I should never assume I have any idea what the other person is going through... I need to be careful what I say... what kind of advice I am offering...
my wonderful friend and partner is travelling to Uganda this week... in preparation for this trip her and her husband have asked for prayer that they would do just that.. that they wouldn't assume they could understand what the people they will meet are going through... they will minister to children that have been forced to be child soldiers, women that have not only lost their husbands in the war but have been raped and tortured.. people without hope..
their prayer is to just communicate the love and the hope of Jesus.. relying on Him to give them the wisdom for when to say what... and when to just offer compassion and support..
I am convinced God is going to use them in a mighty way... as they are willing to serve Him wherever and in whatever way, trusting Him one hundred percent...
what was said yesterday was meant well, but it didn't give me any new or helpful advice.. it made me feel even more alienated...I am sure I could have easily said the same thing before I ended up where I am today... I definitely will try very hard never to come across as if I was trivializing other people's pain and struggles... I will try to be sensitive and careful... it's called empathy.. once again relying on Him to help me with that..
