“Now, normally, I don't involve my husband in such heavy-duty, women-type, long distance phone calls but I just had to go to the loo (toilet)!”
One phone call can change your whole perspective on a season. Through the sobbing apologies for calling me long distance to cry and tell me how lonely she was, my caller reminded me what a difficult time of year this is for many people. She is separated from her husband and is raising a teenage son alone. She has spent every penny she has on the one and only (expensive) present she knows her son wants, she's about to undergo exploratory surgery for suspected cancer again, her job is very stressful and promises to be worse in the New Year and she really misses having someone there to hold her and tell her everything is going to be all right and will work out.
Now, normally, I don't involve my husband in such heavy-duty, women-type, long distance phone calls but I just had to go to the loo (toilet)! From the bathroom I could hear him tell her that he understood what she was going through as a single parent because his mother raised him and his two brothers as a widow and how difficult it had been for her. His empathy and compassion were amazing! When I returned to the phone, he parted from the conversation by promising to e-mail her and her son and become part of the support system she so desperately needed. Bless him!
Among many things we discussed in that two-hour long phone call was her recent behaviour. She had said and done things that were out of character for a Christian and this really worried her because she didn't want to be a hypocrite nor set a bad example for her son. She asked me how I had survived the very difficult times I had once endured, and why was she doing the things she was doing. I bluntly told her that I had lived in a bottle of whiskey for five years because I thought it was a pain killer, and that she, too, was seeking things out of character to kill her pain. I told her that it wasn't until someone had the courage and the faith to tell me that Jesus loved me and forgave me not only for the circumstances that led to my great downfall but also for my whole sinful life, and explained to me about the worth I had as a person, which led me to get on the long and difficult road to recovery. I reminded her that she, too, had worth, so much so that Jesus died for her. I did not sell her platitudes. I gave her my passionate belief with tears. My heart broke as I asked her to believe in her worth as a person not only to the Lord, but also in her great worth to her many friends and family. Many other things flowed from my heart and a few hours later as we parted, she was no longer crying and said she felt better and was glad she had called.
The following morning, the Lord prompted me to write her an e-mail and focus on what she had said about not wanting to be a hypocrite. His message to her was simple - He honours those who honour Him. She will not be disappointed.
Please remember this season what Jesus said, "The ones who need a doctor aren't the healthy but the sick. I have not come to call the 'righteous', but rather to call sinners to turn to God from their sins." (Luke 6:31-32 - Jewish New Testament).
He came for the sick, broken-hearted, down-trodden and yes, all the lonely people.
This Christmas don't be consumed by the all the gifts and tinsel or your own joy of the season so that you forget to embrace the lonely - "Yes! I tell you that whenever you did these things for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did them for me!" (Matt 25:40 - Jewish New Testament)
Madelaine is a wonderful friend and writer. Thanks, Madie, for the gift of your considerable talents!—Grant