DON’T YOU DARE MAKE MY FRIEND CRY!!!!

One of my dearest friends in the whole world is suffering terribly right now.

– Someone is treating her CRUELLY.
– The same person is treating someone she LOVES cruelly.
– It’s breaking her heart; bringing out righteous anger (and probably some sinful anger too); and mostly just burdening her from the moment she wakes up until she (fitfully) sleeps again at night.

My reaction is incredibly mixed-up. (Just like me.)

Of course I want to MAKE THIS PERSON STOP HURTING MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!
(But I can’t.)

Of course I want to protect her and shield her and throw my body in front of the bullet of meanness that is ripping her to shreds.
(But I can’t.)

A part of me wants to just commiserate with her and focus on how awful the other person is.
(But, hmmmmm, that doesn’t sound very Christianly, does it?)

And so I weep with her.
Pray for and with her.
Remind her that she is not alone.
 That much of her passionate rage probably springs from passionate love for God & neighbor and a sincere desire to be truly reconciled to this other person.

(Believe me–if the other woman would agree to it, my friend would JUMP to get help from a Christian conciliator/mediator/trusted friend!)

But we can’t MAKE PEACE, can we?
And we can’t FORCE anyone to repent or confess or be reconciled to us.

There are many injustices in life and this is one of them.
One day it will be answered for–Christ WILL right EVERY wrong.

But in the interim …
I’m just so sad for my friend.
But hopeful too!
For I know that God is with her. He loves her. And ultimately, she will be OK.

God is for His children!
The Lord! The Lord! Compassionate and gracious … abounding in love and faithfulness …

Amen & Amen